Samsung Elec countersuing Sharp on LCD patents

SEOUL, Dec 27 (Reuters) - South Korea's Samsung Electronics (005930.KS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), the world's top maker of large-size liquid crystal display panels, said on Thursday it was countersuing Japan's Sharp Corp (6753.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) for patent infringement.

"We are countersuing Sharp in Delaware in the United States and in Tokyo," Samsung spokesman James Chung said.

"We have also requested the U.S. International Trade Commission to launch an investigation in this case," Chung said.

Sharp, the world's third-largest LCD TV maker behind Samsung and Sony Corp (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), sued Samsung earlier this month in the Seoul Central District Court for patent infringement. It also filed suit against Samsung in the United States in August.

(Reporting by Marie-France Han; Editing by Sei Chong)