Samsung Display, a key South Korean technology giant, and China's BOE Technology, a major global display manufacturer, have reached a settlement in their extensive legal dispute concerning OLED patent infringement and trade secret theft. The agreement brings an end to a three-year battle that saw both companies, significant suppliers of display panels for Apple's iPhones, embroiled in multiple lawsuits.

A spokesperson for Samsung Display confirmed the resolution to TechCrunch, stating, "The two companies have agreed that fair technological competition is essential for the advancement of the display industry, and have therefore decided to withdraw all pending lawsuits." The spokesperson added, "We also plan to withdraw all ongoing legal actions as part of this agreement."

While the settlement's terms remain undisclosed, Samsung Display declined to comment on reports suggesting that BOE might pay patent royalties to the Korean hardware giant. BOE did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the agreement.

Background of the Dispute

The legal saga began in December 2022 when Samsung filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), alleging that BOE had infringed upon its OLED patents. The dispute escalated in October 2023, with Samsung filing another case accusing the Chinese company of stealing trade secrets. This second complaint specifically cited the poaching of employees to gain access to confidential OLED manufacturing processes and technologies.

The ITC had previously issued rulings that favored Samsung. In March 2025, the commission ruled that BOE had indeed infringed three of Samsung Display's OLED patents. Furthermore, a preliminary ruling in July 2025 found that BOE had misappropriated Samsung Display's OLED trade secrets. This preliminary finding led to a recommendation by the ITC to ban the Chinese company from exporting OLED panels to the U.S. for nearly 15 years, a significant blow to BOE's market access.

Following the settlement, both companies appear to have formally requested the ITC to terminate its ongoing investigation. The ITC, when contacted for confirmation, declined to comment on the matter.

Broader Implications and IP Concerns

This settlement arrives at a time when major tech companies are actively seeking to reduce their reliance on Chinese manufacturers for critical components. A U.S. export ban, as recommended by the ITC, would have had severe repercussions for BOE, one of the world's largest suppliers of LCD and OLED display panels, trailing only Samsung and LG in market share.

The Samsung-BOE case also underscores a growing international concern over the theft of intellectual property within the tech industry. This issue has seen other high-profile incidents recently:

  • In July 2024, a South Korean court sentenced a former Samsung Display engineer to six years in prison for leaking OLED technology, valued at approximately $24.5 million, to China.
  • Just last month, in October 2025, South Korean police initiated an investigation after two LG Display employees were suspected of leaking proprietary display technologies to a Chinese firm.

These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges and heightened vigilance required to protect advanced technological innovations in the fiercely competitive display manufacturing sector.