According to news reported by Yonhap News LG Display and Samsung Display are expected to settle their ongoing IP battle over OLED and LCD display technology as the two companies recently sat down together in a number of separate meetings to find a mutually acceptable solution. It is widely believed that the companies will eventually cross-license the patents being disputed.
It is known that the two companies are currently disputing seven technology patents on OLED owned by LG Display and seven patents on LCD technology owned by Samsung Display.
Ownership of IP is therefore critical for each company to operate inthe marketplace. LCD and OLED technologies are key to producing next-generation TVs and smartphones, and global manufacturers such as Samsung, LG and Sony are all actively pursuing curved screens.
At the moment LG Electronics has already launched the world's first cruved OLED display, and has therefore gained an early lead over its rivals inclduing Samsung. By the end of 2013 LG Electronics is set to introduce a smartphone with a flexible OLED screen.
Although LG Display and Samsung Display have been battling over IP since last year, there has been some visible actions that are clearly aimed at finding a resolution. Such as Samsung dropping an injunction aimed to block LG Display from using its OLED technology, and LG Display nullified its sales ban request on Samsung's Galaxy Note 10.1 devices. It is worth noting that this was the result of a meeting brokered by the Ministry of Commence.
It is hoped that both companies will find a resoltuion soon, otherwsie competitors outside Korea may start to benefit from the dispute and steal marketshare away from the battling Korean display giants. Should this happen then they may both lose.
