China’s TCL Sues Samsung Electronics in U.S. Court, Alleging ‘False Advertising’ of Mini LED TVs

[Financial News] TCL, China’s largest TV manufacturer, has filed a lawsuit alleging that Samsung Electronics’ false advertising of Mini LED TVs caused TCL to lose market share.
Foreign media reported on the 1st (local time) that TCL had filed a lawsuit against Samsung Electronics in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, seeking to ban the labeling of products as using Mini LED technology and to obtain monetary damages.
In its complaint, TCL alleged that Samsung Electronics took inexpensive models from a recycled product line and marketed them to consumers as attractively priced Mini LED models, even though they were not Mini LED products.
The company noted that Samsung Electronics currently advertises its M-model TVs as featuring Mini LED technology. In reality, however, TCL claimed that the models contain none of the technological advancements associated with Mini LED and are merely recycled conventional LED TVs.
TCL’s attorney said, "Samsung’s false advertising misled consumers who wanted the high picture quality of Mini LED TVs and led them to purchase products bearing false labels." The attorney added, "It unfairly harmed TCL’s sales, reputation, and valuable technological expertise."
Mini LED TVs are liquid-crystal display (LCD)-based televisions that densely pack LEDs measuring 100–200 micrometers around the backlight, which serves as the light source. Their key feature is improved contrast and color reproduction compared with conventional LCD TVs.
TCL was the first company to introduce the technology to the market in 2019, while Samsung Electronics began launching its own products in 2021. Samsung Electronics currently ranks first in the North American Mini LED TV market, ahead of TCL.

[email protected] International Affairs Specialist Lee Seok-woo Reporter