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Bitter battle

July 17, 2011

Samsung has escalated an ongoing patent row with a German lighting firm, demanding that the US halt all imports of its products. The two firms are feuding over a lucrative technology.

https://p.dw.com/p/11wz8
A computer screen
LEDs are a key component in TV and computer screensImage: DW

Samsung has asked the US International Trade Commission to ban US imports of the German lighting firm Osram, a division of Siemens.

In a complaint filed on Friday, Samsung said Osram was guilty of patent infringement in eight core light emitting diode (LED) technologies.

Ongoing dispute

The move is the latest in an ongoing patent dispute between the South Korean technology firm and the Munich-based lighting company.

The German company started the battle: Osram filed suits in Germany and the United States against Samsung for violating patents for LED technology and said it would seek compensation.

Samsung reacted by filing patent infringement suits against Osram in South Korea.

An International Trade Commission investigation typically lasts about 15 to 18 months.

LED technology is used in a wide range of electronics, including lighting, automobiles, projectors, cell phone screens and televisions.

Author: Sarah Harman (AFP, dpa)
Editor: Andreas Illmer