Cerence Inc., best known for its conversational AI in cars, is going on the offensive, this time against two global electronics giants. The Massachusetts-based voice tech firm has filed a formal complaint with the U.S.

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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Samsung has launched four new Odyssey series gaming monitors at ChinaJoy 2025, incorporating advanced MNT display technology from TCL CSOT. The announcement marks a significant step in Samsung and TCL CSOT’s partnership, aiming to push the boundaries of esports-focused display performance.

TCL CSOT showcased three new display technologies tailored for different gaming genres: HVA Fast, HVA Black, and HFS Shoot. HVA Fast supports a 1ms response time and offers curved panels in sizes ranging from 34 to 57 inches with a 1000R curvature. HVA Black features a 5000:1 native contrast ratio and supports refresh rates up to 500Hz, offering high clarity and dynamic visuals. HFS Shoot targets FPS players with support for high resolution, high refresh rates, and autostereoscopic 3D switching without glasses.

Samsung’s new lineup includes the 27-inch UHD 165Hz Odyssey G90XF, the 40-inch WUHD 180Hz Odyssey G75F, the 37-inch UHD 165Hz Odyssey G75F, and the 27-inch UHD 180Hz Odyssey G70F Dual-Mode Gaming Monitor.

The Odyssey G90XF is Samsung’s first gaming monitor to feature glasses-free 3D. It uses light-field display (LFD) technology combined with an eye-tracking camera to produce real-time 3D visuals without any viewing angle restrictions. The display supports AI-powered 2D-to-3D video conversion and features 4K resolution, a 165Hz refresh rate, spatial audio, and environmental lighting effects. Samsung launched the G90XF in May at a price of 14,999 yuan ($2,080).

The 40-inch G75F supports a resolution of 5120×2160, a 180Hz refresh rate, and a 3000:1 contrast ratio with support for 1.07 billion colors. The 37-inch G75F and 27-inch G70F monitors both support 3840×2160 resolution, high refresh rates, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for smoother gameplay across supported titles.

These monitors aim to meet the evolving demands of esports gamers, with TCL CSOT playing a central role in the display technology behind them.

In related news, we recently explored Who Owns TCL?—a deep dive into the brand’s ownership structure, key subsidiaries, and global expansion strategy.

TCL has grown from a regional electronics player in China to one of the top global brands in televisions and smart appliances, but who really owns this sprawling empire, and what exactly does TCL control? The answer is a lot more layered than it might seem.

Public, But With Roots in the State

TCL Technology Group Corporation, the backbone of the TCL brand, is publicly traded on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange under the ticker 000100. But it didn’t start out that way. Founded in 1981 as a state-owned enterprise, TCL has since morphed into a hybrid of public and partially state-backed ownership, with no single majority stakeholder in control.

Founder Li Dongsheng, who remains chairman and has held the CEO role at various times, owns around 3.3% of TCL Technology. Government-linked investment entities such as Huizhou SASAC and Wuhan Optics Valley each hold 2 to 3%, while the majority, over 87%, is publicly held by retail and institutional investors. This mix means TCL operates like a market-driven firm with state influence, a structure that’s common among China’s largest industrial players.

Restructuring the House: The Rise of TCL Holdings

In 2019, TCL underwent a corporate split to sharpen its focus. It spun off its consumer electronics and appliances division into a new entity, TCL Industries Holdings (also known as TCL Holdings), which now oversees TCL Electronics, the TV and smart device arm. Meanwhile, TCL Technology retained control of high-tech ventures like display panel production (via CSOT) and solar energy (via TCL Zhonghuan).

Despite the split, TCL Technology and TCL Industries are closely intertwined. For example, TCL Electronics continues sourcing panels from CSOT, ensuring tight vertical integration in its TV business.

Subsidiaries, Subsidiaries Everywhere

TCL’s structure is a web of subsidiaries that span consumer electronics, component manufacturing, and even renewable energy.

TCL Electronics Holdings (HKEX: 1070) is the most visible face of the brand, making smart TVs, soundbars, and smartphones. It’s also the engine behind TCL’s climb to the number two global spot in TV shipments. TCL Communication, once known for BlackBerry and Alcatel phones, has been folded into this unit.

China Star Optoelectronics Technology (CSOT) sits at the heart of TCL’s display ambitions. It builds LCD, Mini-LED, and OLED panels, not just for TCL TVs but also for other brands. It’s a wholly owned part of TCL Technology and a key reason the company can compete with global giants on price.

TCL Smart Home (formerly Homa) covers air conditioners, fridges, and washing machines. It’s already among the world’s top four AC brands and the leading refrigerator exporter in China. And it’s backed by smart integrations and large-scale factories in China.

TCL Zhonghuan, acquired in 2020, pushes TCL into solar energy. It produces monocrystalline silicon wafers for solar panels and is quickly becoming central to TCL’s push into renewables and semiconductors.

Other subsidiaries include Tonly Electronics (audio, IoT devices), TCL Environmental Technology (e-waste and recycling), and TCL Financial Services, which collectively round out the group’s diverse portfolio.

Global Strategy: Localized, Scaled, and Brand-Driven

TCL’s expansion outside China has been fast and aggressive. It now operates in over 160 countries and has regional headquarters across six global business zones. The company has set up 20 manufacturing bases, including plants in Mexico, Vietnam, and Poland, to dodge tariffs, shorten supply chains, and serve local markets efficiently.

TCL also invests heavily in global R&D, with over 40 research centers worldwide focusing on AI, display tech, and smart home systems. In North America, TCL’s partnership with Roku turned it into one of the best-selling TV brands in the U.S. In Europe and India, it’s pushing smart appliances and affordable smartphones. And globally, TCL is promoting its own smart TV OS, Lingkong UI, to reduce reliance on Google and Roku.

The brand strategy? Mass-market affordability wrapped in next-gen features. Whether it’s budget-friendly Mini-LED TVs or the paper-like NXTPAPER phone displays, TCL’s message is clear: tech doesn’t have to be expensive.

Bottom Line

TCL’s ownership is split between founder Li Dongsheng, state-backed funds, and a wide public float. But in practical terms, the brand is steered by a mix of private ambition and state alignment. Through subsidiaries like CSOT, TCL Electronics, and TCL Zhonghuan, the company balances consumer-facing innovation with serious upstream tech investment.

It’s not a traditional tech giant like Samsung or LG, but it’s gaining ground fast. And if TCL continues executing its global strategy, it may not be long before this hybrid-owned Chinese conglomerate becomes a household name far beyond the TV aisle.

In related news, TCL CSOT sets its sights on dominating the esports display market, stepping beyond its role as a panel supplier. Also, we recently explored TCL NXTPAPER technology and how it compares to AMOLED and IPS in terms of eye comfort.