Dyson is suing Samsung Electronics over claims that the South Korean company "ripped off" its vacuum cleaner technology, The Guardian reports.

The British engineering company, which also pioneered "blade" hand dryers, has accused Samsung of copying its technology in the steering system on its latest vacuum cleaner.

Dyson said Samsung's Motion Sync vacuum cleaner used technology found in two Dyson appliances, the DC37 and DC39, which have been on the market for two years.

"This looks like a cynical rip-off by the giant Korean company Samsung," said company founder, Sir James Dyson. "Although they are copying Dyson's patented technology, their machine is not the same. Samsung has many patent lawyers so I find it hard not to believe that this is a deliberate or utterly reckless infringement of our patent."

Dyson launched proceedings in the high court at the end of August.

"We have been forced to issue proceedings in the English high court, but I would much rather invest in research to develop new technology than have to sue," said Dyson.

Dyson has taken out a patent on "a cleaning appliance with a steering mechanism" and claims that its invention makes vacuum cleaners easier to maneuver around furniture and less likely to topple over.

Samsung's marketing boasts that its Motion Sync design "enables exceptionally smooth and easy movement".

Dyson holds 3,000 patents and has been fiercely protective of its technology. In 2012, it accused German rival Bosch of planting a spy in its research lab – claims that the company denied. Dyson has also taken a tough line against Chinese firms and challenged Chinese-owned Vax over the appearance of a product that Dyson felt looked similar to Dyson's DC02 cleaner.

In 2011, Dyson warned the Chinese government that it risked being expelled from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over copyright breaches including rip-offs of his inventions.