Samsung Display has achieved a historic legal victory against Chinese rival BOE, with a US International Trade Commission (ITC) ruling that could block BOE’s OLED products from the American market for almost 15 years. The decision follows a 2023 patent infringement complaint accusing BOE of stealing Samsung’s OLED technology through ex-employee hires and supplier contacts.
Initial Legal Battle
In October 2023, Samsung Display filed a trade-secret and patent infringement case against BOE with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). The company accused BOE of improperly misappropriating OLED technology, including hiring former Samsung staff and working with Samsung’s suppliers to acquire critical know-how
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ITC Confirms Patent Theft
The ITC’s preliminary ruling found BOE and eight other companies, including its US subsidiaries, in violation of Article 337 of the Tariff Act. Investigators concluded that BOE misappropriated Samsung Display’s OLED-related patents, causing millions of dollars in damages. The findings recognized Samsung’s strong security measures but said BOE bypassed them through targeted employee recruitment and supplier outreach.
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Details of the Ban
A Limited Import Order (LEO) was issued against BOE for 14 years and 8 months, an unusually long term for such sanctions. The duration was calculated not only to strip BOE of unfair profits but also to include the estimated time it would take to independently develop the stolen OLED technologies. The ban prohibits all imports, advertising, marketing, inventory sales, and related activities in the US. Even sample panels for demonstration purposes are barred.
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Samsung’s R&D Legacy
Since 1997, Samsung Display has invested millions in OLED research and development. BOE entered the OLED market 16 years later but rapidly scaled to mass production without evidence of substantial R&D. The ITC said BOE’s rapid rise was made possible through theft of Samsung’s trade secrets, and this constituted a serious threat to Samsung’s business.
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Impact on Apple and the Smartphone Market
BOE currently supplies 22.7% of iPhone OLED panels, surpassing LG Display’s 21.3% share. Apple initially relied solely on Samsung Display for iPhone OLED screens, later adding LG and BOE to diversify supply. The ban could remove BOE entirely from Apple’s supply chain, potentially boosting both Samsung and LG’s market share and profits.
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Effect on Other Brands
BOE also provides millions of OLED panels to Honor, Huawei, OnePlus, OPPO, Vivo, Xiaomi, and other global brands. Under the ban, any products containing BOE OLED panels would be prohibited from sale in the US, creating a major obstacle for brands such as OnePlus attempting to sell BOE-equipped devices domestically.
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Broader Trade War Context
The ruling arrives amid heightened US-China trade and geopolitical tensions. Analysts view the ITC’s decisive action as a clear signal to Chinese companies accused of intellectual property theft and market disruption through low-cost production. The ban is likely to have ripple effects across supply chains and the global OLED market competition.
Final Ruling Timeline
The ITC’s final decision is expected in November 2025. If upheld, the sanctions would remain in effect until around early 2040. Given the severity of the preliminary findings, industry observers consider it highly probable that the final ruling will match or reinforce the current sanctions.