Japanese electronics maker Sharp sued Samsung of South Korea Wednesday, alleging patent violations for liquid crystal displays. It demanded damages and a halt to manufacturing and sales of affected TVs and display panels.

The lawsuit filed in Seoul Central District Court expands a patent battle unfolding in a U.S. court between two of the biggest makers of LCDs.

In the South Korean lawsuit, Sharp Corp. accuses Samsung Electronics Co. of violating three LCD patents relating to technology that achieves brightness, quick response and a wide viewing angle, the Osaka-based manufacturer said in a statement.

In Seoul, Samsung spokesman James Chung said, "Samsung Electronics will aggressively deal with this lawsuit."

That lawsuit, which is now pending, accuses its rival of infringing on five of its patents for LCD technologies often used in televisions, computer monitors and cell phones. Sharp is seeking unspecified damages, a ban on the infringing products and a jury trial.

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