Sharp and the mainland home appliance industry Hisense Electric was a close alliance many years ago. Unexpectedly, both sides turned to face the court today. A few months ago, Sharp started a series of litigation against Hisense. Hisense fought back and forthlessly, and recently sued Sharp for infringement on the mainland.
Sharp sued Hisense in California court in early June to stop selling Sharp TVs for at least $ 100 million, and two months later, Sharp asked the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to investigate whether Hisense infringes the company's patent and ceases Sharp imports the United States imports of Hisense Hisense products.
Recently, Hisense Beijing and Qingdao both accused the courts of Sharp as many as a dozen models sold on the mainland TV Hisense infringement patents, the alleged infringement of products sold in more than 30 provinces and cities in the mainland.Hisense claims that the company violated the company named ' Backlight control methods, devices and LED LCD TV 'patent, manufacture and sale of 9 patents LCD TV with this patent, require Sharp to stop manufacturing and selling these products.
For Hisense's allegations, Sharp said it will actively respond, but also emphasizes Sharp's leading technology quality, patent layout is relatively broad, strong, with many patented technologies, will strictly punish the infringer, will not tolerate.
Sharp and Hisense fierce fight, hard to imagine two years ago, both ally.Hisense in July 2015 acquisition of the entire Mexican plant in Sharp and assets, while access to Sharp TV in the Americas brand rights and all dealer resources.According to Hisense and Sharp agreement, the former hosting the latter brand in North America from January 6, 2016 to January 5, 2021, the relationship between the two was very close.
However, after the entry of Sharp Hon Hai, Sharp changed its strategy and Sharp discontinued the use of its brand on the grounds that Hispano sells inferior products. Hisense did not accept the continued production and sale of Sharp branded TVs in North America as a fuse to detonate the two companies. Hisense believes that Sharp breached the contract, thus refusing to recall the brand's request, but in fact there is a deeper consideration, because once granted Sharp licensing, Hisense's TV sales in North America will plummet.
According to media sources, 70% of Hisense's TV consumption in North America comes from the Sharp brand's contribution.Industry sources said that both want to be the third largest color TV market in the world, if the other side to defeat himself among the third Big possibilities increase, which may be an important reason for Hisense and Sharp to regard each other as enemies.
Industry insiders said that Hisense will win Sharp TV in the mainland market will encounter trouble, if Sharp wins the case, the dominant position of Hisense in the mainland market will be seriously challenged.