LG / MATSUSHITA WAR HEATS UP: This doozie of a patent battle has been monitored by this blog, and recent pronouncements from LG indicated that the fight is going to get worse before it gets any better. It appears that the patent fight is not restricted to the two companies, but is starting to implicate Japanese technology companies vs. South Korean companies.

South Korea's LG Electronics Inc. vowed to take action against Japan's Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. over an alleged patent infringement. The warning by South Korea's second-largest electronics maker came a day after Matsushita filed a court injunction to halt sales of LG Electronics' plasma display panels in Japan. Matsushita claimed LG Electronics violated its patents on technology to dissipate heat that is generated when the panels are activated.

In response, LG Electronics said it was ready to take counter-action, warning it would refer the issue to the World Trade Organization if the Japanese court rules in favor of Matsushita. LG Electronics also requested the Seoul government to restrict the import of Matsushita's products sold in South Korea. LG Electronics, which has LG Philips LCD Co., the world's largest flat panel maker, under its wing, said it has evidence that Matsushita has infringed on its computer-related technology.