Sharp sues Samsung in Seoul over LCD patents

Sharp Corp. sued Samsung Electronics Co. of South Korea on Wednesday, alleging patent violations for liquid crystal displays. It demanded damages and a halt to manufacturing and sales of affected TVs and display panels.

The lawsuit filed in Seoul Central District Court expands a patent battle unfolding in a U.S. court between two of the biggest makers of LCDs.

In the South Korean lawsuit, Sharp accuses Samsung of violating three LCD patents relating to technology that achieves brightness, quick response and a wide viewing angle, the Osaka-based manufacturer said.

In Seoul, Samsung spokesman James Chung said, "Samsung Electronics will aggressively deal with this lawsuit."

Sharp is demanding unspecified compensation and the stop of sales and manufacturing in South Korea of Samsung display panels and LCD TVs that it says infringes on its patents.

In August, Sharp filed a similar lawsuit against Samsung in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.