It would be easy to declare Samsung defeated after a US ruling that it must stop importing liquid crystal displays that violate four patents owned by Japanese rival Sharp. In fact, the case and others like it show just how thoroughly the South Korean company is winning the war with its Japanese rivals.

The direct impact is likely to be limited. Samsung says it can work around the Sharp patents - although its fix is probably not perfect - and while a merry-go-round of patent suits is standard in the TV industry, everyone usually agrees to cross-license their intellectual property in the end.