Samsung and LG call a halt to OLED patent wars

NewsCenter

Onwards and upwards

The two giants of South Korean consumer electronics - Samsung and LG - have agreed to bring an end to a year long dispute and drop all patent lawsuits against one another relating to display technologies.

The largest two display companies, globally, were at loggerheads concerning patents over both OLED and LCD technology with each accusing the other of stealing ideas and poaching key workers.

Of particular note, LG had been threatening to have sales of Samsung's extremely popular Galaxy S smartphones halted over claimed infringements on their OLED patents.

Earlier in the year, South Korea's trade minister intervened, in an effort to broker peace and therefore improve the Country's economy, and it seems the move has paid off, allowing each to concentrate their efforts on the market, as a whole, rather than being too focussed on what the other is up to.




Both companies released statements to confirm the new state of harmony earlier today.

Samsung display said: "It was agreed that we two should focus more on cementing our leadership in the global market by cooperation, instead of engaging in all-consuming patent disputes," whilst LG insisted that, "What's most important for both of us is upgrading our competitiveness globally," LG said.

Quite how long the peace will last is open to question but with new markets for both OLED and Ultra HD to be built, perhaps it's better for both to maintain it for as long as possible or risk being overtaken by companies from emerging countries.