Pioneer Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Samsung SDI

Texas, USA September 25, 2006 - PIONEER CORPORATION (Pioneer) today announced that it has filed a complaint against Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. (SDI) and several other Samsung companies in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas alleging infringement of Pioneer patents (*1) related to plasma display panel (PDP) technology. Pioneer seeks a court order enjoining sales of infringing SDI products and compensation for past infringement.

Pioneer is a leading innovator in PDP technology and has developed a portfolio of fundamental patents in the field. Pioneer has been negotiating in good faith with SDI for a license to Pioneer’s PDP patent portfolio since April of 2005. Pioneer, however, determined that litigation was necessary in order to protect the value of its intellectual property in the PDP product field.

(*1) Pioneer patents in suit
U.S. Patent No. 5,182,489: Plasma display having increased brightness
U.S. Patent No. 5,640,068: Surface discharge plasma display

About Pioneer

Pioneer Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is one of the leading manufacturers of consumer and business-use electronics products such as audio, video and car electronics on a global scale. Its shares are traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Contact Information

Amy Friend

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc.

Contact via E-mail