[Reporter Lin Mao-Ren / Comprehensive Report]
The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) has reached an initial ruling that the Chinese panel manufacturer BOE has infringed upon three of Samsung Display’s OLED technology patents. However, ITC has denied Samsung Display’s request to ban the sale of related BOE infringing products in the US.
The final decision by the ITC is expected to be made in March next year, which could affect the release of Apple’s iPhone SE 4, which is expected to use BOE’s OLED screens.
According to Korean media outlet The Elec, Samsung Display filed a complaint with the ITC in December 2022, initiating an investigation into OLED patent infringement against 17 American importers and wholesalers. BOE was subsequently named as a defendant in March 2023.
The report indicates that the US importers and wholesalers were found to infringe on four of Samsung Display’s patents, while BOE infringed on three. This is because the OLED panels imported and sold by these US suppliers, in addition to those from BOE, also came from other Chinese OLED manufacturers.
Although the ITC initially recognized BOE’s infringement of three of Samsung Display’s patents, it did not uphold Samsung Display’s request to prohibit the import and sale of patent-infringing products in the US, considering this would not impact American industries.
It is rumored that BOE has surpassed Samsung to become the main supplier of OLED panels for Apple’s iPhone SE 4, as Apple sought to purchase each OLED panel for $25. Since Samsung could not accept this price, BOE emerged as the direct substitute supplier.
However, if BOE is ultimately found to infringe on Samsung Display’s patents and the OLED panels BOE supplies for the iPhone SE 4 involve the related patents, this could lead to a delay in the launch of the iPhone SE 4. Apple might even need to consider changing suppliers.
[November 23, 2024 / Economic Daily / Page A10]
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