Dyson accuses Samsung of copying its vacuum cleaners

Dyson has launched legal action against Samsung over claims the Korean firm “ripped off” one of its inventions.

Samsung showed off its new Motion Sync vacuum cleaner at IFA in Berlin last week. It claimed that the “revolutionary” design used in the vacuum cleaner “makes swift motion for sudden turns much easier”. Dyson attacked the design, saying it “ripped off” its own technology which it first patented back in 2009. “We will take all necessary measures, including legal actions, to protect our technological innovation against Dyson’s groundless claims,” said a spokeswoman. She added that unlike the legal battles between Apple and Samsung, this one focused on functionality rather than design, and as such was far more clear cut. Samsung has rejected Dyson’s accusations, saying the design is the result of years of its own research. Dyson said it has already issued proceedings at the High Court in England. It has not said whether it plans to seek a ban on Samsung’s new vacuum cleaner. Under European law, a ban in the United Kingdom for patent infringement would see the vacuum cleaner banned across Europe too. This looks like a cynical rip-off," said Sir James Dyson, the firm’s founder. "Samsung has many patent lawyers so I find it hard not to believe that this is a deliberate or utterly reckless infringement of our patent. “We have been forced to issue proceedings in the English High Court, but I would much rather invest in research to develop new technology than have to sue.” It is not the first time the two companies have clashed in UK courts. A judge ruled that Samsung had infringed Dyson’s patents in February 2009. At the time, Dyson accused Samsung of attempting to patent a technology that was already patented and used in its “triple-cyclone” cleaners.