[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Samsung Display has effectively won its trade secrets lawsuit against Chinese rival BOE at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) over alleged misappropriation of OLED technology.



According to industry sources on August 13, the ITC recently released the full text of its preliminary ruling issued on July 11. The Commission concluded that “despite Samsung Display’s exceptional security measures, BOE unlawfully acquired and used Samsung Display’s trade secrets, causing substantial harm and posing a serious threat.”



As part of the ruling, the ITC issued an order banning BOE from exporting OLED panels to the U.S. for approximately 15 years. Samsung Display had filed the complaint on October 31, 2023, alleging BOE’s unlawful acquisition of confidential information through means including employee poaching.



While the final decision is scheduled for November, industry observers believe the outcome is unlikely to change, as the ITC recognized most of Samsung Display’s claims, including trade secret theft and improper recruitment. The Commission’s “Limited Exclusion Order” (LEO) will bar BOE’s OLED panels from U.S. imports for 14 years and 8 months, and prohibit BOE’s U.S. subsidiaries from engaging in marketing, sales, advertising, or inventory transactions.



BOE currently holds a 22.7% share of the small OLED panel market for iPhones. The anticipated export ban has boosted competitors’ stocks—on August 13, LG Display closed up 22.49% at ₩13,290, its highest level since the second half of 2023, while OLED materials producer Duksan Neolux surged 24.6%.

 

 

 

 

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