Samsung Display and BOE Settle OLED Lawsuits

Settlement Reached in OLED Patent Dispute

Samsung Display and BOE Technology, a key display supplier for Apple products, have reached an agreement to resolve a patent litigation centered around OLED technology.

Agreement Details

Both companies acknowledged the importance of equitable technological competition for the continued progress within the display sector. Consequently, they have jointly decided to withdraw all currently active legal proceedings, as confirmed by a Samsung Display representative to TechCrunch.

Samsung Display refrained from providing commentary regarding reports suggesting that BOE might be obligated to remit patent royalties to the Korean technology firm as part of the settlement. A response from BOE to a request for comment was not immediately available.

Background of the Dispute

This settlement concludes a protracted, three-year legal battle between Samsung’s display division and BOE. Both entities are significant suppliers of display panels utilized in Apple’s iPhones.

In December 2022, Samsung initiated a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), alleging patent infringement by BOE concerning OLED patents. A further case was filed in October 2023, accusing the Chinese company of misappropriating trade secrets.

Specifically, the latter case alleged that BOE engaged in the unlawful acquisition of confidential OLED manufacturing processes and technologies through the recruitment of former Samsung employees.

ITC Rulings

The ITC issued a ruling in March 2025, determining that BOE had indeed infringed upon three of Samsung Display’s OLED patents.

Furthermore, a preliminary ITC decision in July indicated that BOE had improperly utilized Samsung Display’s OLED trade secrets. This led to a recommendation for a ban on BOE’s export of OLED panels to the U.S. for a period approaching 15 years.

Investigation Halted

The companies have now requested the ITC to terminate its ongoing investigation. The ITC declined to provide a statement when asked for confirmation.

Broader Industry Implications

This resolution occurs amidst efforts by major technology companies to diversify their supply chains and lessen dependence on Chinese manufacturers for critical components. A U.S. export ban would have significantly impacted BOE, a leading global supplier of both LCD and OLED display panels, second only to Samsung and LG.

Concerns Over Intellectual Property

Samsung’s legal action highlighted increasing anxieties surrounding the theft of intellectual property. In July 2024, a South Korean court imposed a six-year prison sentence on a former Samsung Display engineer convicted of disclosing OLED technology valued at approximately $24.5 million to Chinese entities.

Additionally, South Korean police launched an investigation last month concerning two LG Display employees suspected of illicitly sharing proprietary display technologies with a Chinese firm.