Samsung Display has secured a victory in its patent infringement case against its Chinese rival BOE Technology, with the US International Trade Commission, an independent, quasi-judicial federal agency, ruling in favor of the Korean display giant.
Industry watchers suggest that the latest decision positions Samsung Display advantageously in future patent disputes with Chinese manufacturers.
The ITC ruled that BOE, along with US wholesale component suppliers Injured Gadgets and Wholesale Gadget Parts, infringed on Samsung Display’s patents, according to industry sources on Friday.
The commission determined that BOE had violated three of Samsung Display's OLED patents, while the US firms had infringed upon four.
The ruling comes 27 months after the Korean display maker filed its complaint in December 2022, marking a decisive recognition of BOE's patent infringement.
However, the ITC opted not to impose an import and sales ban on BOE’s products in the US, citing a lack of significant impact on the domestic display industry.
Samsung Display sees this ruling as a crucial precedent that could strengthen its position in ongoing and future patent battles.
"We will continue to protect our intellectual property, built through extensive investment and innovation in OLED technology and take firm action against patent violations to maintain our market competitiveness," a Samsung Display official said.
Meanwhile, a separate trade secret infringement lawsuit that Samsung Display filed against BOE and its subsidiaries at the ITC in October 2023 is expected to see a preliminary decision in early May.
BOE is accused of illegally acquiring Samsung Display’s proprietary technologies through collaborations with the South Korean firm's former and current employees.
Additionally, Samsung Display filed another patent infringement lawsuit against BOE in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas at the end of 2023.
yeeun@heraldcorp.com
