The rivalry between two electronic giants, LG and Samsung seems to be assuming different dimensions as both companies prepare to explore legal options. Both companies have been engaged in fight over patent rights for a while now; and there seems to be no end in sight to the battle. LG has been planning its legal offensive, specifically saying it was not going to take anymore of Samsung’s attack. Samsung on the other hand, is countering that LG is trying to hinder it after failing to bust out of its own performance slump.
LG Display had filed its suit at Seoul Central District Court on Sept. 27, claiming damages and a patent infringement ban against Samsung Electronics and Samsung Display. In an emergency press conference at its LG, Twin Towers in Seoul’s Yeouido neighborhood; the company explained that it had taken legal action over violation of patent rights of five Samsung mobile devices, including the Galaxy S3 smartphone.
“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 patents in question involve technology for OLED heat protection, narrow bezels, and panel power supply siring. The devices cited were the Galaxy S2, Galaxy S2HD, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note, and Galaxy Tab 7.7.
Lee further explained that the suit was filed “to protect our technology that we spent many years and a huge amount of R&D, money, and manpower developing.” “Samsung needs to stop at once with its improper use of patents and pay a fair price for using patented technology,” he added.
On the other hand, Samsung Display is considering taking legal action after examining the areas in question. “Samsung has obtained far more OLED technology patents than LG, so there’s no reason for us to violate theirs,” the company countered.
This year, there has been heated battle between both companies over the OLED technology; and LG’s patent suit is latest in a raging feud between both electronic giants. It will be recalled that Samsung had opened fire at LG for allegedly leaking OLED technology. Last July, LG executives and former and current Samsung researchers were indicted for leaking Samsung OLED television technology.
During that period, Samsung had issued a statement in the names of its employees accusing LG of “systematically poaching human resources and technology.” LG responded by calling this “defamation and an exaggeration of the situation’s significance.” The company also said Samsung’s real goal was “to crack down on internal personnel after reorganization.”
LG’s suit is in response to an offensive launched in September by Samsung when it went to court to seek an injunction barring LG Display from its OLED technology and other areas.
Image: LG
