…but only in the US. It would appear that some of Sharp’s liquid-crystal display televisions and computer monitors are infringing on a patent owned by Samsung Electronics Co., says a U.S. trade agency.

Samsung, the world’s biggest maker of LCDs, won a ruling from the U.S. International Trade Commission that basically says Sharp products infringe one of its patents. The legal fight between Sharp and Samsung has been going on the in U.S. and Japan for some time now and this ruling represents a pretty big setback for Sharp.

In site today, The ITC has posted a a notice on its Web stating that unlicensed Sharp LCD devices (this includes display panels and modules) and LCD televisions made overseas by, and using, Samsung’s patented invention should be banned from the U.S.

There’s is good news to come out of this: the ban could be reviewed President Obama, and there is an appeal in progress. Sharp will not comment until full details of the decision are announced. The case stems from a patent Samsung won in 2004 and is titled “Liquid Crystal Display having wide viewing angle”.

Luckily, I bought myself a new 32 LCD TV last month - won’t affect me!

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