Samsung Display, China’s BOE settle OLED patent and trade secret lawsuits

Core Points - Samsung Display and BOE Technology have settled a patent lawsuit regarding OLED technology, emphasizing the importance of fair technological competition for the display industry [1] - The settlement concludes a three-year legal battle, initiated by Samsung's complaints to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) regarding patent infringement and trade secret theft by BOE [2] - The ITC had previously ruled that BOE infringed on Samsung's OLED patents and misappropriated trade secrets, recommending a ban on BOE's OLED panel exports to the U.S. for nearly 15 years [3] Industry Context - The settlement occurs amid efforts by major tech companies to reduce dependence on Chinese manufacturers for components, highlighting the potential impact of a U.S. export ban on BOE, a leading supplier of display panels [4] - Concerns over intellectual property theft are rising, as evidenced by a South Korean court sentencing a former Samsung Display engineer for leaking OLED technology valued at approximately $24.5 million [5]