Samsung Wins Lawsuit Against TCL over QLED Television Advertising

Samsung has won a legal victory against Chinese television manufacturer TCL. In the lawsuit, Samsung successfully pressured TCL to halt advertising campaigns promoting televisions claimed to use QLED technology.

The case was originally filed in April 2025 with a German court. Samsung alleged that TCL Germany engaged in misleading advertising by marketing several televisions as QLED models, when in fact their implementation did not genuinely enhance colour reproduction as authentic QLED technology should.

According to the court’s determination, the quantum dot structure in the TCL televisions in question did not improve colour performance. This was because TCL used only a very small quantity of quantum dots on its diffusion plate.

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) stipulates that QLED screens should position a quantum dot film layer between the blue backlight and the display panel to enhance colour quality. TCL’s implementation failed to meet this standard.

Because the technology did not conform to the required specifications, the court found that TCL’s advertising violated Germany’s Unfair Competition Act. One of the specific models referenced in the case was the TCL QLED870 series.

As a result of the judgment, TCL has been ordered to cease selling and promoting the televisions as QLED models in Germany. However, the ruling is not entirely binding, as TCL may file an appeal.

The court has instructed the Chinese company to discontinue use of the QLED name across Europe. In addition to the German case, both companies are involved in similar litigation in the United States, and the German court’s decision could influence the outcome of the American proceedings.