Motorola Accused of Mimicking LGLG Electronics yesterday accused Motorola of cloning its slim clamshell phone called the KV2300. LG, the world's fifth-largest cell phone maker, says Motorola, the runner-up player, copied the KV2300 to create its latest model, dubbed the KRZR K1m.
The KV2300 hit Korean shops in August while the KRZR K1m, the much-anticipated successor to the phenomenally successful RAZR, is expected to debut here later this month.
``Our KV2300 is a flat, rectangular flip phone with high-gloss black finish, and the KRZR K1m is also a flat, rectangular flip phone with high-gloss black finish,'' LG spokesman Lee Hyoung-kun said.
``Both are equipped with 1.3-megapixel cameras and touch control keys in their fronts with strikingly similar arrangements. In addition, their dimensions are almost identical,'' Lee said.
The size of the KV2300 is 96 by 48 millimeters while that of the KRZR is 103 by 42 millimeters. Their thickness is the same at roughly 16 millimeters.
``At first glance, we recognized that the KRZR has adopted the concepts of our recent products that started with the Chocolate phone _ simple clamshell models armed with touch-sensitive keys,'' Lee said.
LG's Chocolate, which the Seoul-based outfit claims embraced touch control keys for the first time, leaped to success, selling millions of units since its debut late last year.
``We don't think Motorola intentionally imitated the look of the KV2300. But we are very flattered that a company of such caliber followed our design policy,'' Lee continued.
Substances in Doubts
Korean mobile phone users are split into two opposing camps on the issue. Some point out the two models are practically twins while others contend their similarities are negligible.
Yet, the design is not the only factor that triggers allegations that the KRZR is a copycat. Some experts take issue with materials the Motorola phone is made of.
Unlike its popular predecessor RAZR, which is mainly made of aluminum, Motorola used magnesium, polished chrome and hardened glass with the KRZR to create a subtle elegance.
These substances were also used by the super-thin Ultra Edition handsets of Samsung Electronics, the world's No. 3 cell phone vendor.
``It could be a coincidence that Motorola produced a cell phone using designs and materials like those of Korean gadgets,'' a Seoul analyst said.
``However, I can say this. Motorola created a trend with the RAZR with sales having topped 50 million but it seems to failed to do so with the CRZR,'' he added.
Comments from Motorola Korea were not available yesterday.
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