Fujitsu Initiates Legal Action Against Samsung SDI Alleges Infringement Of PDP Patents In Claims Filed In Japan And The U.S.

27-Apr-04

Fujitsu Limited announced that it has asserted patent infringement claims against Samsung Japan Corporation in Tokyo District Court and Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. in U.S. Federal District Court in Los Angeles, California. Fujitsu seeks a court order against future importation and sales of infringing PDP products, and compensation for past infringement. In addition, the company is seeking administrative injunctive relief under a Japanese customs and tariffs law, which prohibits importation of products that infringe Japanese patents. Fujitsu alleges that Plasma Display Panels (PDPs) manufactured by Samsung SDI infringe Fujitsu's PDP patents. PDPs are the principal component of plasma display television sets, one of the fastest growing segments of the flat-screen television market. Before asserting these claims, Fujitsu sought to negotiate reasonable compensation for Samsung SDI's use of Fujitsu's PDP inventions. Samsung SDI refused Fujitsu's reasonable requests, and it has continued to manufacture and sell PDPs that Fujitsu contends infringe Fujitsu's PDP patents. Fujitsu determined that litigation was necessary in order to protect the value of its intellectual property in the PDP area.Masanobu Katoh, Group President of Fujitsu Limited's Intellectual Property Group, explained: ìFujitsu has invested over 30 years and very significant resources in developing commercially viable PDP technology. We cannot permit others to exploit these valuable inventions without appropriate compensation.î Fujitsu is a recognized leader in the research and development of PDPs, and its inventions in this field are protected by more than 800 patents around the world, covering a large number of fundamental technologies that are indispensable for PDP products. In 1992 Fujitsu produced the first commercial 21-inch full-color PDP in the world, and its inventions have continued to contribute to the commercial viability and enhanced performance and features of large-screen, high-definition flat-panel televisions. The lawsuit filed in Tokyo alleges infringement of Japanese patent No. 2,845,183, which is one of Fujitsu's basic patents in the PDP field. Ten other patents are alleged to be infringed in the claims asserted in Los Angeles, California.For more information, please visit www.fujitsu.com.

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