Vizio, OEMs Accused of Working in Tandem to Infringe 12 Sharp LCD Patents

Vizio and its Chinese and Mexican suppliers are conspiring to infringe a dozen Sharp LCD patents through the import and sale of Vizio’s 705-G1 70-inch 4K TV, alleged Sharp’s Japanese parent company Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana, California. Vizio is working hand in hand with Chinese panel maker Xianyang CaiHong Optoelectronics Technology, its Chinese OEM TPV and Trend Smart CE Mexico, TPV’s Tijuana TV assembly plant, to steal patents dating to 2005, alleged the complaint (in Pacer). Sharp’s intellectual property portfolio has more than 10,000 LCD patents and is “the backbone of Sharp’s commercial success,” it said. The 705-G1 has Dolby Vision, HDR10 and hybrid log-gamma HDR, and was selling Wednesday at Best Buy for $599. Sharp “will continue to suffer damages” unless the court “enjoins” the infringing activities or the patents expire, “whichever is sooner,” said the complaint. “Sharp is entitled to compensation for any continuing and/or future infringement.” Vizio and TPV didn’t comment Wednesday, nor did the Chinese panel maker.