International Trade Commission (ITC), accusing Sony and TCL of infringing its patented voice technologies in their smart TVs. In tandem, the company has launched lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, aiming for damages and broader IP enforcement.

Cerence claims that specific smart TV models from Sony and TCL illegally use its proprietary voice interaction technology. The company is urging the ITC to issue a limited exclusion order, which could halt the import of those devices into the U.S. entirely.

“We will take strong, decisive action to protect our IP rights and prevent the unauthorized use of our technology,” said Jennifer Salinas, Cerence’s Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel. The company argues that safeguarding its innovations isn’t just about business, it’s a strategic imperative tied to the protection of its customers and long-term investments.

Cerence, which already powers voice features in over 525 million vehicles globally, is signaling that its tech ambitions extend well beyond the dashboard. By targeting smart TVs, the company is asserting that its voice control patents have wider relevance in the growing smart home and entertainment landscape.

But lawsuits of this magnitude don’t come without risk. Suing two massive hardware players could drain resources and test business relationships, while the legal outcome remains far from guaranteed. Still, the move underlines a broader theme in tech: as AI capabilities become core to consumer electronics, the fight over who owns the underlying technology is only heating up.

In related news, Samsung recently launched four new Odyssey gaming monitors featuring TCL CSOT display technology. Meanwhile, TCL CSOT is aiming to dominate the esports display industry, positioning itself as more than just a panel supplier.

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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.

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