Samsung hit with $117m judgment over patent infringement against Maxell
Samsung Electronics was ordered by a US federal jury to pay $117.7 million in damages to Japanese electronics firm Maxell for infringing on several technology patents related to smart home platforms and smartphones.
The verdict, delivered by a federal jury in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on Wednesday, sided with Maxell that Samsung's Galaxy smartphones, tablets and other devices infringe on three of Maxell's US patents related to the unlocking function on devices, managing data and the reproduction of images and videos.
The verdict, however, is not a final ruling and could be subject to appeal.
The case dates back to September 2023, when Maxell sued Samsung alleging the tech giant violated seven patents by producing and selling a wide range of products, including the SmartThings station, smartphones, laptops and home appliances.
According to the complaint, Samsung and Maxell's relationship dates to 2011 when Samsung signed a licensing agreement with Maxell's predecessor Hitachi Consumer Electronics to use 10 of its patents for a 10-year period.
The agreement expired in 2021, but Samsung continued to use the patented technology without renewing the license.
Maxell argued that it contacted Samsung about the violations and to request a new licensing agreement, but Samsung refused. Instead, the Korean company continue to make and sell products with the disputed technology, prompting Maxell to pursue legal action in multiple jurisdictions, including the US, Germany, Japan and the US International Trade Commission.
Since then, Maxell has been stepping up its legal offensive. In April, it filed another lawsuit against Samsung in Texas alleging a similar patent violation.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Korea Herald
9 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Sands China eyes growing Korean market with opening of Londoner Grand in Macao
Sands China, a Macao-based developer, owner and operator of integrated resorts and casinos, is preparing for the June 8 opening of its newly refurbished Londoner Grand, a key component of the company's ongoing $1.2 billion transformation of the integrated resort The Londoner Macao. The revamped property aims to appeal to the growing number of premium Korean travelers visiting Macao. In an exclusive interview with The Korea Herald ahead of a showcase event in Seoul on Thursday, Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairperson of Sands China, discussed the company's focus on the Korean market, which has seen rapid growth in recent years. Wong emphasized that Sands China is committed to offering a more tailored experience for Korean guests, who increasingly seek integrated and luxury travel offerings. 'We look at Korea as a very strong market. And if you look at the visitor number in the first quarter, Korean visitors' growth rate is over 30 percent (on-year),' Wong said. 'That's why we have always put a lot of emphasis on the Korean market.' The Londoner Grand is a focal point for Sands China's efforts to cater to Korean visitors, he added. In addition to Korean-speaking concierge staff, the property also features specialized dining options designed to appeal to Korean tastes. The newly introduced North Palace restaurant, an upgraded version of the popular North in The Venetian Macao, serves Northern Chinese cuisine, a favorite of Korean guests. 'Koreans have a very strong taste. That's why North is one of their favorites. With North Palace, we've made it bigger, more beautiful, with a variety of dishes like Peking duck and roast lamb,' Wong said. As the company sees growing demand from high-value travelers, the property's newly designed rooms and suites reflect Sands China's strategy to provide premium accommodations. With 2,405 rooms across 18 different types, the Londoner Grand aims to deliver a curated and exclusive experience for guests seeking personalized luxury. 'We have ultraluxury room types for the really big spenders, along with family rooms and suites. It's a more refined offering compared to what we had before,' Wong explained. Wong also noted what makes Macao an appealing destination for Korean tourists. The city's compact size allows visitors to explore historical sites and modern attractions within a short distance, making it convenient for travelers who want to maximize their time. 'Macao offers different experiences within a small area. In Seoul, I travel for an hour or more to get to places, but in Macao, anything beyond a 20-minute car ride is far,' Wong said. The Londoner Grand provide a one-stop experience with shopping, dining and entertainment all within one property, he noted, adding that convenience is increasingly attractive to younger Korean travelers, who want everything in one place. Also to align the growing global demand for responsible tourism, Wong said, the company has made significant strides in incorporating eco-friendly practices, such as energy-saving initiatives and waste reduction programs. Sands China has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and earned a top 1 percent ranking in the 2024 S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook. Looking ahead, Wong is optimistic about the future of the Londoner Grand as a world-class destination for premium travelers, particularly as Sands China continues to cater to evolving guest preferences. 'Our vision is simple: to offer world-class experiences that travelers will remember and return for,' Wong said.
Korea Herald
10 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Soop emerges as powerhouse behind Asia-Pacific esports productions
Soop, a Korean streaming platform and production company, is emerging as a key player behind some of the most prominent esports leagues in the Asia-Pacific region. From Valorant Champions Tour (VCT) Pacific 2025 to PUBG Weekly Series (PWS) and the long-running ASL StarCraft league, Soop is credited with transforming competitive matches into high-quality content experiences. Soop, formerly AfreecaTV, handles over 80 esports productions annually, offering comprehensive services that span planning, direction, live broadcasting and post-match highlights. Major game publishers — including Riot Games, Krafton and Netmarble — have turned to Soop for its cinematic visuals, narrative-driven storytelling and efficient on-site operations. Recent examples include FC Online Super Champions League (FSL) Spring and Netmarble's Solo Leveling: ARISE Championship 2025, both of which were praised for their high production quality and viewer engagement. The company is also expanding globally. This August, Soop will produce the VCT Pacific Stage 2 Finals in Tokyo, marking a significant step in its international growth. As a strategic move to bolster its leading position, Soop also recently brought on board producer Wi Young-kwang, a pioneer in Korean esports production. 'We prioritize quality over cost,' Wi said, 'and our team is equipped to deliver across genres and formats.' With its own venues such as the Sangam Soop Colosseum and a cloud-based global streaming system, the company is positioning itself as a trusted partner in the global esports production landscape.
Korea Herald
11 hours ago
- Korea Herald
LG Energy Solution begins LFP battery production for ESS in US
Korean battery maker turns to rising ESS demand amid EV slump LG Energy Solution has begun the mass production of lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, batteries for energy storage systems, or ESS, at its manufacturing plant in Holland, Michigan, the Korean battery maker said Sunday. According to LG Energy Solution, the rollout strengthens the company's local production capabilities in North America to enable the stable supply of batteries to major clients and swift responses, while avoiding the impact of US tariffs and securing more favorable cost competitiveness. LG Energy Solution has also become the sole battery manufacturer currently mass-producing ESS-bound LFP batteries. The Korean battery maker said the products being made at the US facility are long cell-based pouch-type models, which feature superior energy efficiency and safety at competitive prices. LG Energy Solution Vertech, a US-based ESS system integrator fully owned by LG Energy Solution, has signed deals to supply the ESS LFP batteries to several customers, including Terra-Gen and Delta Electronics. LG Energy Solution emphasized that the mass production of LFP batteries for ESS marks a major milestone in the firm's strategic rebalancing efforts. The Korean battery maker has been actively pushing for rebalancing to increase the efficiency of its investments and cut down on unnecessary costs as external business uncertainties grow due to a temporary slowdown in the global EV market and political changes, such as tariffs, in key countries. LG Energy Solution originally planned to begin mass production of ESS-bound LFP batteries at a new plant in Arizona in 2026. However, the company decided to accelerate the production roadmap by shifting the EV battery production lines at the Holland site into ESS production lines and optimizing related facilities. Based on local production capacity, the battery maker plans to respond quickly to the soaring demand for ESS products in various industries such as AI-related data centers and eco-friendly energy. According to market analysis by SNE Research, the global lithium-ion battery ESS market is projected to reach 618 gigawatt-hours in 2035, up from 185 GWh in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.6 percent. The market size is expected to hit $80 billion by 2035. Earlier this year, LG Energy Solution also forecast that electricity consumption will continue to increase with more data centers being built to cope with the growing application of AI technology. Meanwhile, the proportion of new and renewable energy will expand greatly, resulting in more than a fivefold growth in ESS demand over the next 10 years. 'We are currently engaging in talks with various clients in the North American region about supplying ESS batteries,' said an LG Energy Solution official. 'We will continue to deliver value to customers based on our top-class technology and quick responses in local markets.'
