Samsung sues LG over LCD patents

By Kim Yoo-chul

Samsung Display has filed another lawsuit against its cross-town rival LG Display for infringing on its liquid crystal display (LCD) patents.

The company said Wednesday that it filed the suit with the Seoul Central District Court to completely invalidate seven LG patents that allegedly copied Samsung-developed plane-to-line switching (PLS) technology without paying royalties.

''Samsung Display filed the lawsuit with the court last week,'' said a court spokesman by telephone.

In a written complaint, Samsung said that without permission, LG modified the Samsung technology and named it ''AH-IPS'' technology for use in LG's small- and medium-sized LCD screens.

''We patented the PLS technology in November 1997. But LG copied it. We are seeking a complete sales ban for consumer products manufactured by LG Display and LG Electronics that used those patents,'' said Samsung.

Samsung is seeking 2 billion won in damages from LG and a permanent injunction on the sale of LG Electronics' strategic digital devices including the Optimus G and Optimus Vu 2 smartphones. But chances are small that the court completely side with Samsung because LG will appeal.

''We've heard that Samsung Display filed its latest lawsuit with the court. After reviewing legal papers, we will prepare a counterattack,'' said the head of LG Display Sohn Young-june by telephone.

This is the latest incident in the ongoing legal dispute between the two display-making giants.

In September, LG Display filed suit against Samsung, claiming violation of the seven OLED patents in question. The previous lawsuit alleges that Samsung copied the design of LG's OLED panels, driver circuitry and device designs.

Earlier, 11 Samsung employees were arrested by local prosecutors on charges that they stole and leaked confidential information about OLED TVs to the rival company.

''The fight is a matter of pride. Damage compensation is not a real issue. I think both of us seek to be recognized as a leader in the global display-making industry through the legal battle,'' said a senior Samsung executive.

yckim@koreatimes.co.kr,