Samsung Display has emerged victorious in a major patent dispute against Chinese display manufacturer BOE Technology, following a ruling by the US International Trade Commission (ITC).
The decision, handed down after a 27-month investigation, found that BOE had infringed on Samsung Display’s OLED patents, solidifying the South Korean company’s dominance in the display technology sector.
The ITC determined that BOE, along with US component distributors Injured Gadgets and Wholesale Gadget Parts, had violated multiple Samsung Display patents. Specifically, BOE was found to have infringed on three OLED-related patents, while the US firms were found in violation of four.
Samsung initially filed the complaint in December 2022, alleging that OLED panels manufactured by BOE and sold in the US for smartphone screen repairs unlawfully incorporated five of its patented technologies, including its proprietary ‘Diamond Pixel’ design. This marks the first time Samsung has prevailed in a patent dispute against a Chinese display producer.
Despite the ruling, the ITC opted not to impose an import or sales ban on BOE’s products in the US, citing a lack of substantial impact on the local display market.
While this means BOE can continue selling its products in the US, industry analysts suggest that the decision significantly strengthens Samsung Display’s position in ongoing and future intellectual property disputes with Chinese competitors.
The legal confrontation between Samsung Display and BOE is far from over. In addition to the ITC ruling, Samsung Display has filed multiple lawsuits against BOE, including a trade secret infringement case with the ITC in October 2023. The case alleges that BOE unlawfully acquired proprietary OLED technology by collaborating with former and current Samsung Display employees. A preliminary ruling in this case is expected in early May.
In addition, Samsung Display lodged another patent infringement lawsuit against BOE in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in late 2023, further escalating the legal battle between the two tech giants. Industry officials believe the ITC ruling could impact the Texas case, potentially leading to financial compensation or licensing fees for Samsung Display.
Additionally, BOE, along with other Chinese OLED manufacturers, has filed motions to dismiss certain Samsung AMOLED patents, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing dispute.
While BOE’s legal team considers the ITC’s decision a partial victory since no sales bans were imposed, Samsung views the ruling as a key success in strengthening its intellectual property portfolio.
Samsung Display said in a statement: “We will continue to protect our innovations, developed through years of research and investment in OLED technology. We will take firm action against patent violations to ensure fair competition and maintain our industry leadership.”
