Is Pictiva’s US$191 million win proof of enduring OLED innovation — or of effective IP monetisation?

On 4th November 2025, a Texas jury found that Samsung Electronics had infringed two US OLED patents owned by Pictiva Displays International, a subsidiary of Key Patent Innovations, which invests in and licenses high-value patent portfolios in emerging technology markets.
The Federal Court ordered Samsung to pay US$191.4 million in damages. Samsung has said it will appeal the verdict.

Five patents and 12 claims were reviewed

According to court documents five patents and twelve claims were reviewed for infringement.

The asserted patents:

• The “ 389 Patent refers to U.S. Patent No. 6,949,389
• The “ 547 Patent refers to U.S. Patent No. 8,314,547
• The “’223 Patent” refers to U.S. Patent No. 8,558,223
• The “’164 Patent” refers to U.S. Patent No. 8,723,164
• The “’425 Patent refers to U.S. Patent No. 11,828,425

The asserted claims:

• Claims 34 and 35 of the 389 Patent
• Claims 1 and 8 of the ’547 Patent
• Claims 1, 2, and 9 of the ’223 Patent
• Claims 1, 5, 6, and 9 of the ’ 164 Patent
• Claim 2 of the ’425 Patent

The jury found two patents and three claims were found to be infringed

According to court documents the jury found two patents and three claims had been infringed by Samsung.

• The “ 547 Patent refers to U.S. Patent No. 8,314,547
  • Claims 1 and 8 of the ’547 Patent
• The “’425 Patent refers to U.S. Patent No. 11,828,425
  • Claim 2 of the ’425 Patent

Samsung has filed an appeal

Samsung has expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling and has announced they will appeal.

In 2020 Pictiva acquired a portfolio of OLED patents from Osram

Pictiva are not the original owners of these patents, Osram were the original inventors and owners of these patents. In October 2020, Pictiva acquired a number of Osram's OLED patents. The terms of the transaction - including the number of patents, and the amount paid - were not disclosed.

Osram had been an early developer of OLED technology, but over the years the company slowly changed its market focus and reduced R&D activities.

Here is a brief timeline of OLED activity at Osram

• 2007-2010: Osram ceases production of OLED displays to focus on OLED lighting
• 2011-2016: Osram shifts OLED focus to automotive lighting
• 2018: Osram announces exit from OLED lighting and halts R&D
• 2020: Osram no longer provides support to existing customers

It seems Pictiva acquired around 165 patent families

The Pictiva patent portfolio consists of 473 patent applications, and 342 granted patents across 165 patent families.

Published patent applications peaked in 2015 and 2016, reaching close to 120 applications filed in each year. However, by 2019, has dwindled to just a few a year.

Published granted patents have been fairly steady, with many granted patents being published in recent years.

It is worth noting that patent applications, granted patents, published prior to 2009 have not been included in this analysis.

Patent filings are mainly in Germany and the US

Pictiva patent portfolio shows patent applications have been filed in seven countries, as well as with WO. Many patent applications were filed in Germany, which is not too surprising as Osram is based in Germany.

Patent applications have priority dates of 2017 and earlier

The majority of patent applications in the Pictiva patent portfolio were filed between 2011 and 2015 (light-blue). All have a priority dates of 2017 or earlier.

Granted patents have priority dates of 2017 and earlier

The majority of granted patents in the Pictiva patent portfolio were filed between 2011 and 2015 (light-blue). All have a priority dates of 2017 or earlier.

Patent families

Pictiva's patent portfolio has 165 patent families, each with one or more member. As previous noted, our analysis starts in 2009, so patent families published before 2009 do not appear in this analysis.

Value created — or simply realised?

The Pictiva verdict highlights how legacy OLED research can still generate significant financial outcomes under new ownership. Whether this represents true value creation—from foundational technology still relevant today—or value realisation through effective portfolio management and litigation, remains open to interpretation. With Samsung appealing, the final outcome will determine how much of this award translates into lasting value.

Source:

• Key Patent Innovations' Subsidiary Pictiva Display International Acquires Portfolio of OLED Patents From OSRAM - https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/key-patent-innovations-subsidiary-pictiva-display-international-acquires-portfolio-of-oled-patents-from-osram-301150892.html