Chinese companies have always been accused of cheating and copying. Thus this case is unique as a Chinese company, TCL, which is the second largest manufacturer of TVs in the world, has sued Samsung, which is still the largest TV maker, for allegedly duping consumers by claiming that its M Model TVs feature Mini LED technology.
Reuters reported on Sept 1 that TCL filed a suit in the Los Angeles federal court alleging that Samsung marketed its M Model televisions as featuring Mini LED technology, which is designed to improve picture quality.
Samsung said in a statement on Tuesday that it intends to vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit and stands “fully behind the quality and accuracy of our product descriptions”.
“Samsung’s false advertising misled consumers who wanted the higher picture quality associated with Mini LED televisions into buying Samsung’s falsely labeled product, unfairly damaging TCL’s sales, goodwill, and valuable technology in the process,” TCL attorney R.C. Harlan said in a statement, Reuters reported.
TCL said it overtook Samsung in US Mini LED television sales between 2023 and 2025 because Samsung failed to develop Mini LED televisions at a competitive price.
TCL said Samsung launched its M Model televisions in March at prices below TCL’s cheapest Mini LED televisions and advertised them as featuring Mini LED technology. But the lawsuit alleges that M Model televisions “contain none of the technological advancements associated with Mini LED technology” and are recycled from Samsung’s standard LED televisions.
TCL asked the court for an order blocking Samsung’s “Mini LED” technology and an unspecified amount of monetary damages, according to Reuters.
