BOE(SZ:000725) Zhong Guo Jing Ying Bao·2025-12-16 12:20Core Viewpoint - BOE and Samsung have reached a comprehensive settlement in their OLED patent and trade secret litigation after nearly three years of legal battles, marking a shift in the global display industry from zero-sum competition to a new phase of cooperative competition [1][7]. Group 1: Background of the Dispute - The patent dispute began in late 2022 when Samsung Display initiated a 337 investigation with the ITC, accusing BOE of infringing on four OLED-related patents [1][2]. - In early 2023, Samsung escalated the situation by adding trade secret infringement claims and filing additional lawsuits in Texas [2]. - BOE responded with a series of counterclaims in China, leading to a protracted legal standoff [2]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - By Q1 2025, Chinese manufacturers held a dominant position in the LCD market with a 69.2% global shipment share, while Samsung had begun to withdraw from the LCD sector [2]. - In the OLED market, Samsung led with a 42.2% sales share in 2024, while BOE ranked third with 13.2% [2]. - As of 2023, Samsung held nearly 30,000 OLED-related patents, closely followed by BOE with 28,000 patents, indicating a significant competitive challenge for Samsung from BOE's rapid development [2][4]. Group 3: Reasons for Settlement - The high costs of continued litigation prompted both companies to seek a resolution, as neither party emerged as a clear winner from the prolonged dispute [4][6]. - For BOE, a potential adverse ruling from the ITC in mid-2025 posed a significant threat to its market expansion efforts in North America [4]. - Samsung faced challenges in expanding its business in China due to deteriorating relations, necessitating a stable supply from BOE [5][6]. Group 4: Implications of the Settlement - The settlement is expected to reshape the competitive landscape of the global display industry, moving from fierce competition to a more collaborative approach [7]. - It alleviates supply chain uncertainties for downstream manufacturers, allowing BOE to provide panels more reliably to global clients, including Samsung [7]. - The resolution signifies a shift in power dynamics within the display industry, with Chinese companies increasingly taking a leading role [7][8]. Group 5: Future Outlook - Despite the settlement, ongoing intellectual property disputes are likely as technology continues to evolve rapidly [8]. - The resolution between BOE and Samsung illustrates that in a highly globalized supply chain, pure confrontation will give way to rule-based cooperation in the future [8].