In the filing, Samsung claims that TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co. and Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics Semiconductor Display Technology Co. are producing OLED panels that infringe on three key patents: U.S. Patent No. 9,330,593, No. 7,414,599, and No. 11,594,578. These patents cover OLED pixel circuits and driving methods.

Samsung says it notified TCL of the alleged violations back in July 2022 but claims the company has continued to produce infringing displays. The complaint specifically targets OLED screens used in several TCL smartphones sold in the U.S., including the TCL 10 Pro, TCL 20 Pro 5G, TCL 30, TCL 30 5G, and TCL 30+.

The legal battle builds on a prior case at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), where the ITC ruled that Samsung’s patents were valid and found that certain companies, including eTech Parts Plus, had infringed them. TCL had attempted to intervene in the ITC case after replacement OLED panels it produced surfaced in the U.S. market.

Samsung is also leaning on a recent win at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), which last year upheld the validity of two of the contested patents, bolstering the company’s legal position.

Samsung declined to comment on the latest lawsuit. TCL and the U.S.-based companies named in the suit have not yet responded to requests for comment.

In related news, TCL C8K QD-Mini LED TV series launches in Europe with advanced display and audio features. Meanwhile, TCL’s deal with LG further consolidates Chinese dominance in the display market.

(Source)

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