South Korea’s Samsung Display has taken legal action against BOE Technology, a Chinese competitor, alleging the infringement of five patents related to displays used in mobile devices, including Apple’s iPhone 12.
In the lawsuit filed in a US court in East Texas, Samsung Display, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, seeks damages and an injunction to prevent the import and sale of the infringing displays supplied by BOE. The OLED display market, dominated by Samsung Display, has seen BOE emerge as a major player. The lawsuit highlights the irreparable harm caused to Samsung Display by the infringement and the need for legal intervention.
Apple’s Use of OLED Displays and Market Dynamics
Apple has incorporated OLED displays in products such as Apple Watch and select iPhone models, including the recently launched iPhone 14. The adoption of OLED technology enables high resolution and thinner displays compared to traditional alternatives. Samsung Display’s market dominance faces competition from BOE, which surpassed LG Display to become the second-largest player in the OLED display market in the previous year, as reported by market researcher Omdia.
Request for Legal Remedy and Intellectual Property Compensation
Samsung Display emphasizes the irreparable harm it has suffered and will continue to face due to the infringement of its ‘599 Patent, which enhances device image quality. The company seeks an injunction from the court to halt BOE’s infringement and provide a legal remedy to protect its intellectual property rights. This lawsuit follows Samsung Display’s previous complaint filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission, which triggered an investigation into alleged patent infringement by various companies selling OLED screens as replacement displays.
Response from Samsung and Apple
Samsung and Apple have not yet commented on the lawsuit. However, Samsung Display’s executive, Choi Kwon-young, previously expressed the company’s intention to pursue compensation for its intellectual property, acknowledging the increasing competition in the mobile OLED screen market.
South Korea’s Manufacturing Landscape and Security Concerns
South Korea is recognized for its manufacturing capabilities in various sectors, including chips, displays, and automobiles. However, Korean companies face mounting challenges from Chinese rivals. In a recent incident, a former executive at Samsung Electronics was indicted on charges of stealing company technology for a chip factory in China, raising concerns about national economic security.
