A U.S. federal jury has ordered Samsung Electronics to pay $117.7 million in damages to Japanese electronics firm Maxell Ltd., ruling that the South Korean tech giant infringed on key patents tied to smart home platforms and smartphone technology.
The verdict, delivered on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, sided with Maxell’s claims that Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices violated three U.S. patents. These patents cover technology used for unlocking devices, managing data, and reproducing images and videos—features embedded across a wide range of Samsung products.
Although the jury awarded significant damages, the ruling is not final and remains subject to appeal. Samsung is widely expected to contest the decision.
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Long-Running Dispute Over Expired License
The legal dispute stems from a licensing agreement signed in 2011 between Samsung and Hitachi Consumer Electronics, the predecessor of Maxell. The deal granted Samsung permission to use 10 patented technologies in its products for 10 years.
That agreement expired in 2021, but Maxell contends that Samsung continued using the protected technologies without renewal. According to court documents, Maxell reached out to Samsung after the expiration to renegotiate terms but was rebuffed. Samsung, the lawsuit alleges, opted to continue incorporating the technologies in devices ranging from SmartThings stations and smartphones to laptops and home appliances.
The alleged infringement prompted Maxell to sue in September 2023, accusing Samsung of violating seven patents in total. This latest ruling relates to only three of the contested patents, with other elements of the case still under review or pending further legal proceedings.
Broader Legal Campaign by Maxell
The case in Texas is part of a multi-jurisdictional offensive by Maxell. Beyond the United States, the company has launched related legal actions in Germany, Japan, and through the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). The firm appears to be targeting Samsung’s global footprint in a bid to enforce its intellectual property rights more aggressively.
In April, Maxell filed another lawsuit in Texas against Samsung, citing similar patent violations tied to a new set of devices. The fresh lawsuit underscores Maxell’s determination to hold Samsung accountable across its evolving product lineup.
Samsung’s Patent Challenges in the U.S.
The ruling adds to a growing list of intellectual property disputes Samsung has faced in U.S. courts, particularly in the Eastern District of Texas, a venue frequently used by patent holders due to its reputation for being plaintiff-friendly.
Samsung has not publicly commented on the verdict. However, legal experts say the case could serve as a warning to other tech giants that rely heavily on third-party intellectual property for software and hardware development. If the decision stands on appeal, it may force Samsung to either pay licensing fees retroactively or re-engineer parts of its ecosystem to avoid further legal exposure.
For Maxell, a company now focusing more on monetizing its technology portfolio, the verdict is expected to boost its morale to fight for the remaining patents issued to Samsung.