A preliminary ruling by a U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has found that China’s BOE Technology Group Co. Ltd. misappropriated trade secrets from South Korean giant Samsung Display Co. Ltd., potentially jeopardizing BOE’s ability to export certain high-end OLED display screens to America.
The ITC issued the initial decision in mid-July, according to documents seen by Caixin. The agency sided with Samsung Display’s allegations, concluding that BOE failed to prove it developed the disputed organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology independently or obtained it from public sources.
The ITC recommended imposing a limited exclusion order to bar the relevant products from entering the United States, along with a cease-and-desist order targeting already-imported items. The ruling is not final and awaits a full commission decision.
A source close to BOE told Caixin that the company plans to appeal the ruling to protect its rights. Both companies declined to comment.
The ruling marks a critical juncture in the intensifying global competition for dominance in the lucrative market for OLED displays, a key component in premium electronics, most notably Apple Inc.’s iPhone. A final decision endorsing the import ban could slow BOE’s rapid expansion and complicate its integration into global supply chains.
Since becoming an iPhone display supplier in late 2020, BOE has steadily gained ground on South Korean rivals. In the second quarter of 2025, the Chinese company’s share of iPhone panel shipments overtook that of LG Display Co. Ltd. for the first time, capturing 22.7% of the market compared with LG’s 21.3%, according to UBI Research. Samsung Display remained the dominant supplier with 56%.
UBI Research also reported in August that BOE’s OLED panels had been certified for Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Pro — earlier than most analysts expected.
The impact of a potential import ban on BOE’s U.S. business remains unclear. The company does not disclose U.S. revenue, but CEO Feng Qiang said during an April earnings call that direct sales to the U.S. were minimal. While Apple is a major client, most iPhones sold in the U.S. are assembled in India, with BOE supplying panels for international models.
This trade secret dispute follows a separate patent infringement case between the two companies that concluded in March 2025, when the ITC found infringement but ruled it did not violate Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, allowing BOE to continue selling the products in the U.S.
Du Zhihang contributed to the story
Contact reporter Han Wei (weihan@caixin.com)
