Samsung, LG expected to sign cross-licensing deal

By Kim Yoo-chul

Kim Ki-nam Samsung Dispaly CEO

Samsung Display said Tuesday that it plans to sign a cross-licensing deal with LG Display to use its rival’s display-making technology in its stalled organic light-emitting diode (OLED) business.

The move came as Korea’s leadership in the global display market is increasingly being challenged by Chinese and Taiwanese companies.

``We are reviewing the possibility to adopt White-based OLED (W-OLED) technology for use in our upcoming OLED TVs,’’ Samsung Display CEO Kim Ki-nam told reporters in an industry meeting at a hotel in downtown Seoul.

OLED TV is the next big thing with all manufacturers investing heavily in the business.

``I’ve talked with LG Display CEO Han Sang-beom over several pending issues,’’ said Kim. Separately, Han confirmed that working-level discussions between the companies will begin from early next month.

Samsung is still yet to mass-produce its OLED TVs due to technological problems in its RGB-based technology.

The world’s two top display makers have been in a dispute over OLED panel patents and have been filing lawsuits against each other since September last year. LG had sought a sales ban in response to an injunction request filed by Samsung, which cited illicit use of its patented OLED technology.

During the event, Kim was named as the new chairman of the Korea Display Industry Association (KDIA).

``The display market is becoming highly-competitive with the rapid rise of Chinese and Taiwanese manufacturers amid economic uncertainty, meaning Korea should be ahead of incoming rivals in developing next-generation displays and owning more patents.,’’ Kim said.