LX threatens to take LX Holdings to court over LX name

Corporate logo of public agency LX. [LX]

While a new holdings unit spin-off from LG Corporation has tentatively been named LX Holdings, conflict with an existing public agency operating under the name LX is growing.

The board of LX, a public agency under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said it will take legal action against LG’s spin-off using the name LX, according to industry sources Tuesday.

The board reportedly said it could create confusion among the public if the two companies operate under the same name and that its years of effort in building a brand image will be affected.

An LG Corporation spokesperson said Tuesday that it is a pity the public agency decided to take legal action despite starting discussions on how to minimize confusion on March 16.

“The two companies are completely different in terms of business and the trademark logos are very different as well in terms of design and color,” the spokesperson said. “We think there is little possibility of people confusing the two companies [by name.]”

LX Holdings will officially launch after a shareholders meeting later this month. It will control four LG affiliates — LG International, LG Hausys, Silicon Works and LG MMA — and Koo Bon-joon, an uncle of current LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, will head the new entity.

BY KIM JEE-HEE [kim.jeehee@joongang.co.kr]