A nasty grudge match between Vizio and Funai is now officially over, with U.S. Customs officials last week saying Vizio didn't commit patent infringement and can now sell HDTVs to U.S. consumers again.
"We are pleased that Funai's ill-advised tactics continue to falter and are being rejected by the U.S. authorities; we are determined and remain unshaken by merit-less claims from foreign competitors," Vizio co-founder Laynie Newsome said in a statement.
Funai first started legal action against Vizio in the legal battle between the two companies, stating the company infringed on several patents related to Vizio's TV panels. The U.S. International Trade Commission agreed with Funai, and an order blocking Vizio from importing and selling TVs to American consumers.
Vizio fired back and said Funai wanted to block competition in a very competitive, lucrative North American HDTV market, which caused a counter lawsuit to be filed. Vizio accused Funai of "allegedly violating antitrust law as well as patent infringement of its own."
Funai is expected to appeal the decision at some point, though Vizio officials said they believe the decision will be upheld.
Companies who temporarily stopped working with Vizio are excited to again help the low-budget HDTV manufacturer cash in on the U.S. market. South Korean parts makers are especially excited to begin working with Vizio again:
"Vizio will keep buying components for flat-screen television sets from South Korean parts suppliers as the legal battle is expected to end on our side," the company said in a statement prior to the announcement.
Vizio is best known for manufacturing cheaper HDTVs, as Sony, Samsung and several other companies control the higher-end HDTV market in the U.S.
