On Tuesday, Lynk Labs Inc. filed suit against Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and Samsung Electronics America Inc. for allegedly infringing U.S. Patent No. 11,019,697 (the ‘697 Patent). Lynk Labs, an Illinois company, contended that Samsung makes use of its LED technology in the smartphones and tablets that the defendant manufactures and sells.
The Western District of Texas complaint explained that Lynk is a “small American business that supplies LED lighting assemblies, modules, lamps, drivers, and system solutions.” The filing stated that in the early 2000s, after the telecom bubble, Lynk began to focus on the general lighting field, and in particular light emitting diodes (LEDs) which were then in the early phases of development.
Over the next several years, the complaint said, Lynk created and patented pioneering innovations that are now commonplace in the LED lighting and consumer electronics industry. These reportedly include “LED lighting systems driven by constant voltage power supplies, smart LED lighting systems, warm dim or warm glow LED lighting devices, LED lighting devices and/or systems allowing users to select the brightness and/or color temperature of light, direct AC mains connected LED assemblies known as driver-on-board, wireless power, and many more.”
According to the complaint, some of Lynk’s then-revolutionary technological developments are now standard in consumer electronics such as Samsung’s Galaxy products. To its dismay, the plaintiff has reportedly witnessed the “increasing unlicensed presence of Lynk’s patented technology on the shelves and websites of retail stores, including in the products of massive international companies such as Samsung.”
The patent-in-suit entitled, “AC Light Emitting Diode and AC Led Drive Methods and Apparatus,” was reportedly issued the same day as the filing of the complaint, May 25, 2021. Samsung allegedly committed direct infringement by importing and selling smartphones that infringe on at least three claims of the ’697 Patent.
The complaint pointed to the defendant’s Galaxy S21 Ultra smartphone, an “apparatus,” as recited in claim 1 of the ’697 Patent, comprising elements that its claims cover. These include “at least one LED; a semiconductor device configured to emit a laser; (and) a data receiver including an antenna, wherein the data receiver is configured to transmit and receive data,” among other features.
Lynk seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, damages, including treble damages, its attorneys’ fees and costs, and other relief the court deems appropriate. Lynk is represented by K&L Gates LLP.
