Local startup accuses LG Household Health Care of idea theft

• Published date: 03 March 2023
• Publication title: The Korea Times

Prinker Korea, a Korean startup, claimed Monday that LG Household Health Care has stolen the idea of its customized tattoo printing device, called Prinker M, and created a copycat product.

Prinker said LG HH applied for a design patent under the name of "tattoo printer" in September 2020 after the two signed a nondisclosure agreement for a potential business partnership in June 2019.

The startup claimed LG HH's portable temporary tattoo printer, called IMPRINTU, shares various similarities in terms of concept, design and size with Prinker M, noting LG HH had purchased Prinker's devices.

LG HH admitted to having purchased Prinker's products but said it was part of a "routine market assessment" activity before entering into a new market.

"LG Household Health Care's portable temporary tattoo printer, set to be revealed at the Mobile World Congress this week, is another example of a large conglomerate copying the concept, technology and the idea created by a smaller startup," Prinker said in a statement posted on its website on Monday.

The allegations, if verified, would be the latest case of an idea theft dispute between a small firm and a large conglomerate in Korea.

Prinker said its portable tattoo printer, which can print various designs on human skin by using a mobile app, is available in about 80 countries, including the United States, France and Germany.

In January, French cosmetics giant L'Oreal decided to invest in Prinker, the startup said, without giving any details on the value of the investment.

Prinker said it has reported the case to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and plans to take legal...