US International Trade Commission Bans Imports of Sharp Aquos TVs, Monitors

The US International Trade Commission has issued its verdict regarding litigation filed by Samsung Electronics against Sharp Co. Ltd regarding an LCD display patent that the Korean manufacturer claimed was infringed by the Japanese company.

Earlier this month a trade judge had stated that Samsung TVs, monitors and professional displays infringe four Sharp patents and recommended Samsung TVs also be banned from the U.S.

The patent in question which precipitated the ban was issued in 2004 under the heading “Liquid Crystal Display having wide viewing angle” with a second patent also under litigation being disregarded.

An ITC notice was posted on its Web site today stating unlicensed Sharp LCD devices, including display panels, modules and LCD televisions made overseas that use Samsung’s patented invention should be banned from the U.S.

Appeals are expected from both parties and the ban is subject to review by U.S. President Barack Obama with the underlying patent case being appealed to a U.S. court that specializes in patent law.

The Sharp case against Samsung is In the Matter of Certain Liquid Crystal Display Modules, 337-634, and the Samsung case is In the Matter of Certain Liquid Crystal Display Devices and Products Containing Same, 337-631, both filed in the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington.