[Global Network Technology Reporter Chen Jian] The ongoing dispute between Hisense and Sharp has escalated into a full-blown legal battle. After facing a series of lawsuits from Sharp in the U.S., Hisense finally decided to fight back. It has been reported that Hisense Electric, the listed subsidiary of Hisense Group, has officially filed lawsuits in courts in Beijing and Qingdao, accusing Sharp of infringing on its invention patent rights with more than a dozen TV models sold across over a dozen provinces and cities in China.
The patents involved in this case are two key inventions: “A backlight control method, device, and LED TV†and “Backlight drive circuit and television,†both of which are still within their valid periods. In its lawsuit, Hisense is demanding that the court order Sharp to immediately cease all infringing activities, including manufacturing, selling, and offering for sale the disputed products, as well as destroying any infringing items already in circulation. Both courts have officially accepted the cases, signaling a significant step forward in the legal conflict.
In 2015, Sharp, facing financial difficulties, transferred its Mexican plant in North America to Hisense. At the same time, it also granted Hisense the five-year right to use the Sharp trademark in the American market, excluding Brazil. Following the acquisition, Sharp’s business in North America saw a steady improvement. However, in 2016, when Sharp acquired Foxconn, it violated the contract by attempting to terminate the brand rights agreement with Hisense. Hisense refused to comply with what it considered an unreasonable demand, leading Sharp to publicly threaten “destructive actions†against Hisense. Since early this year, the dispute over the Sharp brand in North America has intensified. With Foxconn, the actual controlling party behind the move, no longer having hope of reclaiming the Sharp brand under the original contract, it turned to legal action and even initiated a Section 337 investigation by the U.S. government. This situation has been likened to the story of "Wei Wei rescues Zhao," where modern farmers face challenges from snakes. However, it has been reported that Sharp's lawsuits against Hisense in the U.S. have faced repeated setbacks. First, the case was dismissed immediately, and then on November 13, local time, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia approved Hisense’s request to dismiss Sharp’s motion, rejecting the application for a ban.
This time, Hisense is no longer staying silent in the face of Sharp’s provocations. Instead, it is taking a firm stand. This patent litigation highlights the growing strength of Chinese companies in addressing foreign patent and brand barriers. Both parties are now engaging in legal battles on both sides of the Pacific, and the conflict has even escalated to a broader trade war, drawing significant attention from the legal community. Li Wenyu, director of the Intellectual Property Center at the China Institute of Information and Communication Technology, commented: “As Chinese companies accelerate their global expansion, more and more are using high-value patent portfolios to protect their interests. This shift reflects a growing maturity in how Chinese companies approach intellectual property, showing greater respect and strategic planning in their patent management.â€
However, Sharp’s challenges in China go beyond just a corporate dispute. Its low-cost strategy and associated quality issues have drawn criticism from consumers. According to public reports, there have been over ten consumer lawsuits filed against Sharp this year due to product quality concerns.
In response, Sharp issued three statements on November 30. First, it claimed that it has invalidated the patents held by Hisense. Second, it emphasized that its technical quality and patent portfolio are extensive and robust. Third, it vowed to take strong measures against any company that infringes on its intellectual property rights, stating that it will not tolerate such actions anywhere in the world.
Currently, many large technology companies, such as Apple and Qualcomm, are also involved in various legal disputes. However, Hisense stands out as a major domestic TV brand. The patent dispute between Sharp and Hisense is not only a reflection of the current global television industry slump but also a competition for dominance in the North American market, where both companies aim to gain a stronger foothold.
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