The battle between Korean electronics makers LG and Samsung has spilled over into the courtroom. LG Display and Samsung are locking horns in a patent dispute.
On Sept. 27, LG Display filed a lawsuit at the Seoul Central District Court seeking damages and a patent infringement ban against Samsung Display and Samsung Electronics. At a press conference, LG said that it had filed a lawsuit against Samsung at the District Court over five Samsung mobile devices which had violated LG's patents. The Samsung devices which could possibly face an injunction include the Galaxy Tab 7.7, the Galaxy Note, Galaxy S2, Galaxy S2HD, and the top-selling Galaxy S3 smartphone.
The lawsuit alleges that Samsung infringed seven patents on the design of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels, device design, and driver circuitry.
"This lawsuit has been filed both to enforce LG Display's intellectual property rights and promote fair competition," LG Display said.
LG Display stated that it would seek damages and a permanent injunction against the sale of the Samsung devices in South Korea. The company did not disclose the amount it would seek in damages.
"The organic light-emitting diode panels produced by Samsung Display, and the mobile devices Samsung Electronics built with these panels, constitute a serious infringement of seven key LG patents," said LG Display executive director Lee Bang-soo.
The patent in question revolves around technology for OLED heat protection, panel power supply siring, and narrow bezels. Samsung challenged LG Display's "improper use of patents" allegation and said that it has more OLED-related patents than LG.
"Samsung has the world's best OLED technology and controls 98 per cent of the market. Samsung has obtained far more OLED technology patents than LG, so there's no reason for us to violate theirs," countered the company.
Currently, Samsung holds 5,000 and 1,900 OLED technology patents in Korea and the U.S., respectively. By contrast, LG has 800 and 600 OLED technology patents in Korea and the U.S., respectively.
Samsung also said that LG was trying "to shed the negative image that resulted from the technology leaks." The company indicated that it would be reviewing the lawsuit and would take appropriate action as necessary.
The two South Korean companies currently lead the world in the production of OLED panels, which first emerged in the 1990s and were used in car radios. In recent years, the OLED panels have improved significantly in quality and are employed on cellphones, tablets, and TV sets. Additionally, both Samsung and LG Electronics Co., a LG Display shareholder, are anticipated to ship a 55-inch TV that uses OLED technology; however, neither company has announced a sales date yet.
The recent patent suit is possibly an offshoot of an ongoing technology battle over OLEDs between the two companies. Earlier, on Sept. 5, Samsung went to court and demanded an injunction which would bar LG Display from violating OLED technology patents. The LG lawsuit could be a defensive reaction.
Additionally, a Samsung official opined that LG's poor sales figures could be a reason for this tactical approach. The company may be attempting to generate sales via some "noise marketing" to boost its sagging fortunes.
most read
more stories from News
Discover Chrome for Android's groundbreaking 'Listen to This Page' feature, revolutionizing web browsing by converting text to speech. Enhance accessibility, explore multilingual support, and experience intuitive playback controls for a seamless browsing experience.
ernest hamiltonvivo and UEFA announce a major partnership for EURO 2024, making vivo's V30 series the official smartphones of the tournament. Discover how vivo's cutting-edge technology will enhance fan experiences and capture unforgettable moments this summer in Germany.
ernest hamiltonAt its developer conference, Apple introduced iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 featuring AI-driven tools, enhanced customization, and robust privacy measures. HTC revealed the U24 Pro with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip, while the CMF Phone 1 leak showcases a budget-friendly device with a Dimensity 7300 SoC.
ernest hamiltonDiscover how Android 15 improves app stability by disabling home screen widgets when apps are force-stopped, ensuring a smoother user experience. Learn about this new feature and its impact on developers and users
ernest hamiltonYouTube is testing new features, including AI live chat summaries, Google Lens integration, and QR codes for channels, available to select users. These enhancements aim to improve content discovery and viewer engagement.
ernest hamiltonDiscover the latest setback for Android gamers as the highly anticipated Cassia emulator faces abandonment by its developers. Learn about the reasons behind the project's halt, explore alternative options for playing PC games on Android devices, and find hope for future developments in emulation technology. Stay informed with this comprehensive news article
ernest hamiltonDiscover the new Honor 200 Pro, featuring a 50MP Harcourt-engineered camera, Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 processor, 6.78-inch AMOLED display, and advanced AI capabilities. Preorders open in Europe and the UK
ernest hamiltoniOS 18 will bring enhanced flashlight controls with more brightness levels and adjustable beam widths, alongside new customizable home screen app icons. Learn more about the upcoming features and beta release.
ernest hamilton