According to numerous news reports South Korean police where once again searching the offices of Samsung Electronics in connection with an investigation into alleged technology theft.
Samsung Display a major manufacturer of AM-OLED panels said investigators at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency went to its headquarters in Asan, south of the capital, and searched for documents related to OLED technology.
LG Display said it didn’t report Samsung to police in connection with the current investigation, but did state that the latest investigation is related to "large-sized OLED TV panel technology." According to LG Display the police have made the allegation independantly of LG Display. Other news reports indicate that the police have not yet made a statement about the investigation and nor are the police answering questions raise by journalists.
Nathan Kim, a spokesman for Samsung, is reported to have said, "Police are investigating whether partners of rival panel maker LG Display leaked technology secrets and whether Samsung is involved."
In repsonse Jun Eun Sun, a spokeswoman for Samsung, is reported to have said, "We have no reason to steal other companies' technology, as we have the world’s best OLED technology."
However, the two companies have been involved in criminal probes of alleged technology theft since last year. In July, six employees of LG Display were charged over theft of OLED technology from Samsung. Although, LG said in July the information its employees were charged with leaking or stealing at the time was widely known in the industry and wasn’t considered to contain trade secrets.
