Samsung Display Files Lawsuit Against BOE For Infringing OLED Display Technologies
Key Highlights :
Samsung Display, the display arm of Samsung Electronics, has filed a lawsuit against Chinese display maker BOE for infringing on its smartphone organic light emitting diodes (OLED) display technologies in the United States, according to industry sources. This marks the first time that Samsung Display has taken legal action against BOE, and it is seen as a response to the growing influence of the Chinese display maker in the OLED market.
Samsung Display's lawsuit was filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on June 26, alleging that BOE infringed on its four patented OLED technologies, particularly those used in Apple's iPhone 12 smartphone. This includes Samsung Display's Diamond Pixel technology. The lawsuit was triggered when Samsung Display was informed that copycat OLED displays made by Chinese companies were being used as replacements for original Samsung Display displays for iPhone smartphones at smartphone repair shops in the U.S.
In response, BOE also filed lawsuits against Samsung Electronics and Samsung Display's Chinese branch with a Chinese court in May. Samsung Display has said that it will take strong measures to protect its technology, as Chinese makers are increasing their presence in OLED, the next-generation display for LCD, after gaining market influence by selling large quantities of LCDs at low prices.
According to data from the Korea Display Industry Association, Korea has overwhelmingly ranked first in the world for OLED displays for the past 17 years. In 2022, Korea's share of the market was 81.3 percent, a large margin over China's 17.9 percent. However, when it comes to small and medium-sized OLED displays, China is catching up. In the first quarter of this year, Samsung Display led the small and medium-sized OLED display market with 54.7 percent, but BOE was second with 19.2 percent while LG Display was third with 17.4 percent.
The legal action taken by Samsung Display is a clear indication that it is determined to protect its technology and maintain its market share. Samsung Display has invested heavily in research and development to develop its OLED technology, and it is now taking steps to ensure that its intellectual property rights are respected. This lawsuit is also likely to send a strong signal to other Chinese display makers that Samsung Display will not tolerate infringement of its patented technologies.
