#South Korea #Hurom #Kuvings #Mannheim #Patent Case

Hurom's Landmark Patent Infringement Victory

In an eye-catching legal development, Hurom, the global leader in slow juicing and the innovator behind the world's first vertical juicer, achieved a major court victory against NUC, the manufacturer of the Kuvings juicer line, at the Unified Patent Court in Europe. This ruling, delivered on March 11, 2025, by the regional division of the court in Mannheim, Germany, confirmed that NUC, which encompasses its Korean headquarters, European subsidiary, and the distributor Warmcook, had infringed on Hurom's European patent (EP2028981).

As a result of this ruling, NUC is now prohibited from selling its juicers across Europe. Any continued sales could incur hefty fines amounting to €2,000 per unit sold. Furthermore, the court mandated that NUC compensate Hurom for damages and cover all legal costs associated with the case. In addition, they are required to recall and destroy any infringing products already on the market, notably including the Kuvings AUTO10 juicer, which was a significant focus of the infringement findings.

This decision follows a series of earlier victories by Hurom in both South Korea and the United States, reinforcing the company's position as the rightful inventor of vertical juicing technology. In December 2024, the Korean Trade Commission determined that NUC had indeed violated Hurom's patents and employed unfair trade practices, leading to the issuance of a corrective measure and a financial penalty in South Korea. Similarly, in July 2024, an Amazon patent evaluation process confirmed NUC's infringement, resulting in the suspension of multiple Kuvings juicer models from the US market.

In response to this critical legal win, Hurom's CEO, Jaewon Kim, emphasized the significance of the ruling, stating, “This verdict strongly affirms Hurom's technological leadership on a global stage. We will continue to vigorously combat reckless patent infringements and cheap imitations that endanger our mission of promoting health through the consumption of fruits and vegetables.”

Implications for the Juicing Industry

This ruling is not only pivotal for Hurom but also sends shockwaves through the juicing industry at large. It underscores the importance of patent protection and the defense of intellectual property rights in a market where innovation is key. Other brands may take note of this incident, understanding that the legal landscape can have profound implications on market access and product availability.

The juicing sector, which has seen significant growth alongside increasing health-conscious consumer behavior, now faces pressure to assess and ensure compliance with existing patents.

As we continue to see a trend of health-centric living, the focus on legally safeguarding unique innovations will likely become an even more pressing matter for companies in this arena. Manufacturers must adapt not only to market demands but also to legal frameworks that govern their technology. Companies like Hurom will remain at the forefront, leveraging their patents to maintain competitive advantages in an evolving marketplace.

With Hurom's technology now reinforced by this legal validation, the company is poised for continued growth and influence in the global health and wellness scene. Consumers can expect to see more innovations from Hurom as it upholds its legacy of fostering healthy living by providing quality juicing solutions.

In conclusion, Hurom's victory against NUC serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of patent laws and the need for vigilant protection of intellectual property. As the industry watches closely, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching effects across the juicing and broader consumer goods market.

* Case Number at the Unified Patent Court (Germany): PR_ACT_17336/2024, PR_ACT_17365/2024