Subscribe
E-Paper
 |
| LG Electronics' QNED Mini LED TV unveiled in December / Courtesy of LG Electronics |
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on Feb. 25 notified Samsung Display that its registration for "QNED" was refused because the mark "merely describes an important feature and characteristic of the applicant's goods." Samsung's display manufacturing unit applied for the trademark in September of last year.
QNED stands for "quantum nano-emitting diode" and is considered to be the next-generation display technology.
LG was also notified in January that its registration for QNED as a trademark was refused because it was "merely descriptive."
The U.S. authority last week notified Samsung that it could use the name with a disclaimer stating that no claim is made to the exclusive right to use QNED.
Given both LG and Samsung applied for the same trademark, the U.S. authority notified both sides last week that if either entity registers the mark, their own mark may be refused to be registered due to the likelihood of confusion with the registered mark.
Samsung and LG have continued to feud over the naming of their next-generation display technology.
The latest conflict erupted after LG unveiled its Mini LED TV using the "QNED" name ahead of CES 2021 in December. LG said QNED stood for its technology applying quantum dots to nano-cells.
Samsung began developing QNED technology last year, which applies fine quantum-dot materials to LEDs to enhance image quality.
Samsung was known to have bristled at LG's launch of its "QNED" Mini LED TV, claiming that the rival's technology is completely different from Samsung's QNED technology under development and that this could create confusion.
LG's latest Mini LED model succeeded in drawing attention because it was unveiled prior to Samsung's product.
At the time of the controversy, LG Electronics' head of home entertainment marketing communication, Lee Jeong-seok, said the use of the QNED name was not a sudden decision and that it had been part of the company's roadmap as the technology was developed.
Industry sources said LG's launch of its QNED-labeled Mini LED TV was a move aimed at branding itself as a leading TV maker, given its long-standing gap with Samsung. Samsung has led the global TV market for 16 years. LG is the No. 2 player.
LG has also applied to use the trademark in Australia, Europe and in Korea in the latter half of last year and Samsung followed suit. Applications by both companies in these countries and region remain under review.
