Korea gets momentum in AM-OLED
By Kim Yoo-chul
Korean companies may have secured momentum in their bid for leadership in the active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AM OLED) sector of the premium flat-panel industry as a crucial patent in the industry has been invalidated.
Universal Display Corporation (UDC) of the United States recently lost a lawsuit in Japan regarding a key material used for such panels.
Princeton University and the University of Southern California initially filed a patent on phosphorescent materials that was accepted in the United States, while UDC earned the right to charge royalties on licensees.
The patent at issue has been a stumbling block for Korean AM OLED manufacturers such as Samsung Mobile Display and LG Display in their attempts to preempt the global market.
Phosphorescent materials help enhance the brightness of such panels as well as offering savings in energy consumption, although they are somewhat pricey compared to conventional fluorescent materials.
It is not known whether UDC will try to overturn the ruling as UDC representatives in Korea were not available for comment. If they accept it, Korea will not have to pay royalties for using the “unpatented” materials.
The ruling in the Japanese court is significant because the trade and use of the phosphorescent materials take place mostly in Japan, experts pointed out.
``The situation is becoming favorable for Korea’s AM OLED makers and related materials suppliers thanks to the court decision,’’ a top-ranking industry executive said Sunday while asking not to be named.
When contacted, both Samsung Mobile Display and LG Display refused to comment on the issues.
Samsung Mobile Display is currently the leader in the global OLED market, followed by LG Display. The former, which was set up through collaboration of Samsung Electronics and Samsung SDI, is struggling to meet demand for AM OLED panels for use in advanced products such as handsets and tablet PCs.
AM OLED is considered the next-generation flat screen _ touted as far better than today’s norm of liquid crystal displays.
The use of the panels, however, is currently limited to smaller-sized devices such as smartphones and tablets due to the higher cost and technology-related matters.
Samsung Electronics, which is the runner-up to Nokia in the handset industry, is a strong backer of AM OLED panels as it uses the screens in its strategic Galaxy S smartphones, and plans to introduce an AM OLED Galaxy Tab, very soon.