Apple has caught itself in a bit of trouble with the local production of components that are to be used for iPhone assembly. It was previously speculated that Apple could be banned from selling iPhones in the United States that have displays manufactured in China. However, it is unlikely that such a legal ruling would come into play, considering it involves Samsung's display secrets. The U.S. International Trade Commission sided with Samsung, accusing China’s BOE of stealing its OLED screen technology and blocking imports of any products that use those stolen designs.
Why Apple’s iPhone sales are unlikely to be halted despite the trade secret battle between Samsung and BOE
Since Apple orders displays from both Samsung and BOE, the ITC has the power to ban suppliers from importing components into the United States, which includes blocking sales in the region. However, it is only the case when infringements are found on patents or so-called trade secrets that Samsung has referred to. If you are not familiar with it, the ITC was responsible for banning Apple Watch sales in the United States, which had the blood oxygen feature developed using patents of a health-tech company known as Masimo. The iPhone maker was forced to disable the feature in the region for models that had already been sold to the public.
According to ETNews, the ITC has come into play once again involving Apple, as it has backed Samsung’s claims against BOE for exploiting its trade secrets. Here's what the publication has to say about the subject:
Samsung Display won a decisive victory in the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) trade secret infringement lawsuit filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) against China’s BOE, because the ITC decided that it should recognize the infringement of BOE trade secrets in the preliminary judgment and impose measures to ban imports.
It is possible that BOE engaged in corporate theft, potentially uncovering Samsung's manufacturing techniques and then replicating them to produce its own OLED panels. It was previously believed that Apple's iPhone sales could face a ban in the United States, but it does not seem to be the case. Possibly, the ban only applied to a specific type of OLED screen that is not used in the iPhone, which is why the company will be allowed to sell the product in the market without any infringements.
Even if BOE-made iPhone displays were banned in the United States, Apple does have additional suppliers, and all they would have to do is ramp up production to meet Apple's demand. It remains to be seen what the final verdict of the case will be, so be sure to stick around.
About the author: Ali Salman is a technology reporter for Wccftech mobile section with a specialized focus on Apple and the intellectual property that drives mobile innovation. He has cultivated a unique expertise in analyzing and deconstructing complex technology patents, translating dense legal and technical documents into clear, insightful reports on future products.
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