Pioneer Wins Patent Infringement Suit against Samsung SDI

LONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pioneer Corporation announced today that a jury in the United States District Court in the Eastern District of Texas has reached a verdict in favor of Pioneer Corporation in a patent infringement suit against Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. and two affiliated companies (“Samsung”). The jury awarded damages totaling US$59.3 million to Pioneer. Pioneer commenced this lawsuit in the fall of 2006, and claimed that plasma televisions manufactured by Samsung infringe two patents held by Pioneer concerning plasma display technology.

This significant decision in favor of Pioneer represents recognition of the strength of Pioneer’s intellectual property rights in the field of plasma displays. Pioneer released the world’s first 50” high-definition plasma television for consumer use in 1997, and the world’s first 50” full high definition plasma display for consumer use in 2006. Pioneer will continue its basic stance of protecting its intellectual property rights.

About Pioneer:

Pioneer Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, is a leading global manufacturer of consumer- and business-use electronics products such as audio, video and car electronics. Its shares are traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Pioneer North America, Inc. is the North American headquarters for Pioneer Corporation of Japan and is located in Long Beach, Calif. (www.pioneerelectronics.com).