Samsung Electronics said Tuesday a U.S. ruling against its liquid crystal displays (LCD) is unlikely to have a serious impact on its exports of televisions and other LCD devices to the world’s leading economy.

The U.S. International Trade Commission ruled Monday that Samsung violated patents owned by Japanese rival Sharp and that imports of infringing products be banned. LCDs are used in computer monitors and televisions.
President Barack Obama will make a final decision on an import ban within a 60-day review period., during which Samsung may be allowed to sell the affected products if it posts a deposit worth 100 percent of the goods.

Samsung, the world’s largest maker of LCDs and flat-screen TVs, played down the impact of the ITC ruling, saying it will try to ensure its U.S. sales will not be disrupted until Obama endorses it.

“We are fully committed to honoring our responsibility to our business partners and taking appropriate actions to meet the market demand for Samsung LCD panels and products without any interruption,” said a Samsung spokesman.

Most, but not all, of its LCD products in the U.S. use the technology that was deemed to have violated Sharp’s patents, the spokesman added.

Local media reported that the impact from the ITC decision would be minimal because Samsung has begun producing panels using technology not patented by Sharp. Samsung denied that, saying it “plans to take appropriate legal action” and also dismissing reports that it has already appealed the ITC ruling.

Sharp lodged its petition with the ITC against Samsung in March 2008.

Samsung also filed a complaint against Sharp, claiming the world’s No. 4 flat-panel TV maker infringed on four of its patents.

In June, the ITC ruled that Sharp had violated one of the four.

YonhapNewsAgency

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