Sharp and Samsung settle LCD patent cases, end legal dispute

After three years of spent treasure, Sharp and Samsung have finally settled their LCD patent fight. Although the terms of the agreement won't be made public, a Sharp spokesman was caught boasting about conditions that "will be in favor of Sharp" -- the company that kicked off the battle back in 2007. As a recap, the disputed patents covered LCD TVs, monitors, and mobile phones in lawsuits filed in the US, Europe, Japan, and South Korea. After a string of defeats in the US and Europe resulted in an import ban on its panels, Samsung, it seems, was left with little choice but to settle on Sharp's terms.

[TjK Posted Feb 8th 2010 9:26AM]

yawn.

[Duke Posted Feb 8th 2010 1:49PM]

Both sides to a settlement can argue that it was in their favor-so until we see what the agreement was, I wouldn't be so positive Samsung got nothing out of settling.

[Edge of Blade Posted Feb 8th 2010 2:16PM]

@Duke
From what I've heard so far, both companies now have cross-licensing access to all the patents in outstanding litigation. This also supersedes the ITC recomendation to ban importation of formerly-infringing Samsung panels.

[vinnie97 Posted Feb 8th 2010 6:07PM]

Samdung, Samsuck, how I hate you so.