Korean PC manufacturers and the Korean media are getting increasingly vocal about US lawsuits alleging patent infringement brought against local companies by Compaq Computer Corp and Apple Computer Inc. Saying the move is simply a strategic tactic to try and undercut the rapidly rising sales of Korean-made PCs in the US market, one report called it a provocative gesture.
Compaq claims its low-cost rival eMachines Inc, which is owned by TriGem Computer Inc and Korean Data Systems, has used 13 of its patents without permission including those covering selectable resolution monitor systems and a system designed to boot from CD-ROM or tape.
Apple says PC clone manufacturer Future Power, which is supplied by Daewoo Telecom, has produced a knockoff of its popular iMac design. Even though the E-Power is a PC, it bears a striking resemblance to the iMac and, like Apple’s machine, will be available in five colors. At $799 it costs around 30% less than the iMac.
