The next-generation display named the OLED are a thousand times faster than LCDs in response speed.  The leaked technologies before the market release were related to panel production, and they had been protected by law as core national industry technology.

Seoul, Korea ¶ June 29, 2012-- It is allegedly reported that Samsung and LG’s core technologies of the next generation display have been leaked by industrial spies presumably to a rival Chinese company. On June 27, the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office indicted six employees at the Korean branch of Orbotech, an Israel-based company which supplies display testing equipment, on charges of leaking Samsung’s AMOLED and LG’s White-OLED display technologies including circuit diagrams. Orbotech’s Korean office itself was indicted as well.

The next-generation display named the OLED are a thousand times faster than LCDs in response speed. Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics have been leading the AMOLED market worth 90 trillion won (US$78 billion). The leaked technologies before the market release were related to panel production, and they had been protected by law as core national industry technology.

The prosecutors also confirmed that some core technologies of LG were very likely to be handed to the BOE, the largest panel company in China. The prosecutors said, “This is a huge economic loss to the national economy, and may disrupt the landscape of the global display market.” “We plan to conduct additional investigations to prevent further technology leakages to overseas,” he added.

Samsung and LG, two giants in the display market, are aghast to hear the news. Samsung Mobile Display said, “To prevent similar espionage cases in the future, heavy punishments should be imposed on the individuals and implicated companies, be it local or international.” LG Display also said, “Economic market values of leaked large panel technologies would reach several trillion won.” Samsung Electronics invested 1.38 trillion won and LG Electronics invested 1.27 trillion won for the technologies.

Adrian Han (press@whowired.com)