Sharp and Samsung trade blows in patent spat

Japanese electronics manufacturer Sharp has filed a lawsuit against rival Samsung and its US subsidiaries Samsung Electronics America and Samsung Telecommunications America, alleging infringements of five of its patents on LCD-related technology.

The complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleges that a number of products infringe LCD-related patents that are owned by Sharp, including liquid crystal display (LCD) modules manufactured by Samsung and sold in the US by Samsung.

It also covers LCD TVs and LCD monitors which incorporate the LCD modules manufactured by Samsung and sold in the US by SEA. Mobile phones which incorporate the LCD modules manufactured by Samsung that are sold in the US by STA are also included in the action.

In the complaint, Sharp requests that the court award compensatory damages to Sharp and prohibit the sales of the infringing products. Sharp also requests a jury trial.

Sharp has negotiated in good faith with Samsung for an LCD patent licence since 2006, but has been unable to reach a deal through negotiations.