Samsung has recently initiated a new patent infringement lawsuit against BOE, a prominent Chinese display manufacturer, in a U.S. district court. The lawsuit accuses BOE of unlawfully using critical OLED technologies, marking yet another chapter in the ongoing legal confrontations between the two companies. Following prior legal successes, this latest action poses a potential threat to global supply chains, especially given BOE’s role as a supplier for major brands such as Apple.

This situation emphasizes the mounting tensions within the display industry and highlights the urgent need for businesses to diversify their sourcing strategies. This case has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, where Samsung alleges that BOE and six of its subsidiaries have infringed upon four of Samsung’s U.S. patents. The patents in question are numbers 11,574,990, 11,574,991, 10,439,015, and 10,013,088.

Prior to this lawsuit, Samsung had communicated with BOE in May 2022 regarding these infringements, which involve displays later utilized in devices such as the Red Magic 9S Pro and Nubia Z60 Ultra. The patents alleged to be violated relate to OLED thin film transistor structures and cell structures. Notably, Samsung has experienced some success in its legal battles against BOE, including a recent ruling that confirmed BOE’s infringement on three of Samsung Display’s OLED patents.

The implications of this lawsuit extend beyond the courtroom and could significantly affect global supply chains and production partnerships. BOE is rapidly emerging as a leading display maker, intensifying competition with Samsung. Notably, Apple sources displays from both Samsung and BOE, a strategy that helps mitigate risks in its supply chain.

Should issues arise with BOE, Apple has the option to rely on Samsung for its display needs. However, while this litigation could impact the supply chain landscape, it is unlikely to disrupt production this year, as most components for upcoming devices have already been manufactured and delivered. Apple’s mass production for the iPhone typically begins around July, suggesting that they have already arranged a substantial inventory of displays for the forthcoming iPhone 17 series.