Sharp threatens to block Samsung TVs in patent suit

Sharp today filed a lawsuit against Samsung in the US, accusing the Korean TV maker of violating five patents relating to its LCD sets. The suit alleges that Samsung has been using similar technology relating to most of the core components, including processing techniques that improve contrast and image quality as well as the visibility of the LCD panel. The suit is the result of failed negotiations between the two companies to establish a licensing deal for the patents, Sharp claims. Samsung has yet to comment on the accusations.

Sharp demands a jury trial and says that a decision in its favor would not only obtain financial damages but would block Samsung from shipping LCDs to the US that use the technology, effectively restricting most of Samsung's flat-panel TVs from being sold in the country. AQUOS TVs form the backbone of Sharp's business since the company switched strategies in the late 1990s and released its first high-end, flat panel HDTVs in 2001.