Korea's Supreme Court Confirms Cuckoo Food Waste Processor Design Is Invalid

By Ozan Attas

Photo: justinedgecreative / Pixabay

Korea's Supreme Court has upheld a Patent Court ruling that invalidated Cuckoo Electronics' registered design for its "Eco Whale" food waste processor, Hankyung reported on 14 October 2026. The case was brought by athome, which runs the Minix appliance brand.

athome's subsidiary registered the design of its "The Plender" processor in 2023. After Cuckoo registered its own design last year, athome sought invalidation and won at the Patent Court in July. That court found that the two designs share dominant features, including overall shape, proportions and silhouette, and that these create a similar aesthetic impression for ordinary consumers. According to reports, the Supreme Court dismissed Cuckoo's appeal without a full review.

A separate suit by athome for an injunction and damages over design infringement is still pending, so the invalidation does not by itself decide liability.

Sources

• Hankyung, "'음식물처리기 디자인 표절' 쿠쿠 패소 확정" (14 October 2026, in Korean)
• Maeil Business, "미닉스, 쿠쿠전자에 최종 승소" (in Korean)