Nanoco, a Runcorn-based tech firm, has launched a legal challenge in the United States against electronics giant LG, alleging wilful patent infringement related to television technology. Nanoco ased Nanoco confirmed it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit in Texas against the South Korean firm. The claim centres around patents held by Nanoco concerning quantum dot technology.
Quantum dots are described as nanomaterials, 1,000 times smaller than a human hair, capable of significantly boosting the range of colours visible when light passes through them. This has made them a crucial technology in contemporary television manufacturing.
While the production of some quantum dots involves the toxic heavy metal cadmium, Nanoco has pioneered the development and patenting of a successful method for the mass production of cadmium-free quantum dots. Nanoco states that the validity of its patents was confirmed during a previous legal battle with another tech giant, Samsung. In that case, the US Patent Trials and Appeals Board ruled in Nanoco’s favour, and the claims were settled in 2023 for £150 million.
In its filing against LG, Nanoco asserts that the company has wilfully infringed its patents and is seeking a permanent injunction along with monetary damages. No specific monetary value has been assigned to the claim at this stage.
Dr Jalal Bagherli, Nanoco’s chairman, commented: “Nanoco proved the value and validity of its IP as part of the Samsung litigation process. At that time, we reiterated our intent to aggressively pursue other potential infringers of our IP to ensure a fair outcome for shareholders of Nanoco. While there is potential for damages, litigation itself carries considerable inherent risk and the Board must weigh the opportunity versus the cost.
“In this instance, we believe the potential return to be worth the costs of commencing litigation. Nanoco continues to remain open to finding a mutually acceptable commercial solution, but the action is appropriate to take at this time in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders, to defend one of our core assets.”
Image source: Pixabay
