Samsung begins a new round of lawsuits against rival Sharp on patents related to LCD displays, following ITC's decision to ban specific Samsung LCD TV models from the U.S. market. According to the Korean newspaper The Electronic Times, Samsung has filled another LCD Patent infringement lawsuit with ITC. The lawsuits were filed against Sharp for "infringing 3 patents related to liquid crystal technology," with Samsung not willing to disclose more details.

Samsung and Sharp have been accusing each other for infringements related to LCD displays since 2007. On March 2008, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) instituted an investigation based on a complaint filed by Sharp. Sharp's complaint alleged violations of its LCD patents and was seeking to ban the imports of certain liquid crystal display devices and products produced by Samsung into the United States. The Commission announced the results of the investigation last month and decided in favor of Sharp. As a result, the Commission banned the unlicensed entry of Samsung's LCD devices, including specific display panels and modules and products to the U.S.. Samsung was also not allowed to advertise and distribute products that infringe Sharp's patents.

Before issuing the final decision - which will take effect after December holidays because of the 60-day presidential review period - Samsung had filed a petition for reconsideration of the Commission's determination not to review certain portions of the final ID but the ITC rejected it on October 2009.

Samsung can sell LCD-TVs that don't use Sharp inventions so the ITC ruling doesn't have any impact on its business, the S. Korean company said.

However, Samsung's latest lawsuit filled with ITC against Sharp could be interpreted as a move that could lead the two companies closer to a cross-patent licensing agreement.