Samsung Display is currently in a dispute with BOE, accusing the company of infringing its patents. The United States International Trade Commission (ITC) has just issued a preliminary decision on this matter. The implications could lead to some Android brands being banned in the United States.

The Elect reports that the ITC’s preliminary ruling finds that BOE infringed Samsung Display’s patents. This patent infringement case began in 2022 against 17 importers and wholesalers. BOE was later embroiled in the drama as a defendant in 2023. In the litigation, Samsung sought a ban on the sale or importation of products that violate these patents in the United States. At the time, the ITC did not agree to this request, saying that “there was no impact on the industry in the United States.”

Now that the preliminary ruling comes down in favor of Samsung Display, it puts the company in an advantageous position in the case. The company is expected to ask the ITC to reconsider its previous request for a ban. The final decision is expected to be made in March next year.

So what does this mean for you? If the ITC were to agree to a ban, it would prevent the sale in the United States of any product using BOE’s displays. While most companies in the United States tend to rely on Samsung Display for their high-end panels, many also look to BOE for its lower prices.

Some of these brands include Apple, ASUS, Dell, HP, etc. These products also range from TVs and laptops to smart watches and phones. One of the brands that could be hit the hardest in terms of smartphones is OnePlus, which uses BOE even for its flagship phones. Motorola also used BOE for its Razr foldable handsets. Even Google used BOE for the Pixel 8.

There is no guarantee that Samsung will get the ban it wants. But we’ll have to see what the ITC decides next year.