Samsung alleges U.S. patent infringements by Sharp

South Korea's Samsung Electronics on Dec. 21 filed a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission, charging patent infringements by Japan's Sharp Corp. and its U.S. subsidiaries.

Samsung alleges in the complaint that Sharp and its subsidiaries engaged in unfair trade practices by importing and selling LCD products that infringe four U.S. patents owned by Samsung.

Samsung said in a statement it had asked the trade commission to ban the import of affected products such as LCD televisions, monitors, notebook computers and cellular phones.

The company said the patented technologies improve the performance and efficiency of liquid crystal display devices, and enable lower manufacturing costs and a simplified LCD panel structure.

"These patented technologies enable Samsung's products to enjoy competitive advantages in the marketplace," it said.

The firm is also pursuing federal lawsuits in Delaware and Texas against Sharp for the alleged infringements.

In addition, it said it filed a preliminary injunction against Sharp in the Tokyo District Court on December 26. This alleges that LCD TVs made and sold by Sharp in Japan infringe two LCD-related Japanese patents owned by Samsung.

The Korean firm asked the Tokyo court to ban the manufacture and sale of the products in Japan.