LG Display has been benefiting from disputes between Apple and Samsung Electronics, as it is now receiving panel shipments for Apple's new iPad and may land the vast majority of panel shipments for Apple's 7.85-inch iPad that is predicted to be released by the end of the year, according to industry sources.
Recently, Apple and Samsung have undergone further trials for patent issues that began in 2011. According to Reuters, Apple filed suit against Samsung in July 2011, alleging that the company's Galaxy tablet infringed on patents related to touch screen technology. Samsung subsequently filed a cross-claim against Apple, claiming violation of three 3G data transmission patents in Apple's iPhone 4 and 4S models and second iPad model.
Apple and Samsung are also facing legal battles in several countries. In the US, Samsung recently lost an appeal in the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to stay a preliminary injunction banning the sale of the company's Galaxy 10.1 tablet. Earlier in the month, Samsung was also denied by a US District Court a stay on a preliminary injunction against sales in the US of Samsung's Galaxy Nexus smartphone running Android.
Sources said it is apparent that Apple and Samsung's relations have been deteriorating, which has been further exemplified through LG's entrance into Apple's supply chain in the second quarter of 2012 to mass produce iPads. That coupled with the likely possibility of supplying other panels for Apple products in the future may give LG a higher position in the panel industry and may also give Taiwan-based panel makers an advantage in the market, added sources.
Samsung still remains the leading flat panel maker over LG and Chimei-Innolux (CMI).
Article translated by Alex Wolfgram
