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LG and Samsung end their war over broken washing machines
LG and Samsung just can't stay mad at each other over a few broken washing machines. The two electronics giants have agreed to end the legal disputes that emerged after Samsung accused an LG exec of willfully wrecking its washers at the IFA trade show last year. As LG explains to us, it was in the "best interest" of not just the companies, but South Korea. The country is dealing with a rough economy, you see, and the two sides would rather focus on more appealing products than tearing each other down in court. The truce doesn't let LG off the hook -- South Korean law still lets authorities dole out punishment even if the plaintiff withdraws. Both LG and Samsung have asked for leniency, however, so it won't be surprising if this washing machine war ends without any casualties.
LG exec charged with ruining Samsung washing machines (update: video)
LG's appliances leader isn't going to escape allegations that he wrecked Samsung washers at a German store. South Korean prosecutors have charged both the executive, Jo Seong-Jin, and two other LG employees with purposefully damaging the defenseless laundry machines. Jo's lawyer doubts that there's enough evidence, but something tells us that the court won't let his client off that easy. Samsung certainly won't. Reuters understands that mediation talks between LG and Samsung fell apart, and the two are still at each other's throats after Samsung Display workers were charged with stealing OLED screen technology from LG Display. In many ways, the washer case reflects the sheer amount of pride the two Korean tech giants have -- they'd rather go to trial over seemingly inconsequential costs than eat their humble pie. Update: LG has released an annotated and edited video of the incident (below) in an effort to gain public support. It shows several LG employees, including Jo, inspecting the machine in plain sight of Samsung security guards. Jo is shown pushing on the door vertically in an inset closeup, but LG said that's a routine test he performs on appliances.
LG exec can't fly to CES after wrecking a Samsung washer
It was during German trade show IFA that LG's home appliance boss Jo Seong-jin allegedly damaged a Samsung washing machine while visiting a local store. He may have thought that his actions were mere high-school hijinks, but his Korean rivals don't see it that way. In fact, the hostility between the companies has boiled over to the point where Samsung reported the incident to South Korea's authorities, who have apparently banned the executive from traveling to CES in January.
