From the onset of things, I think the Korean plasma maker, Samsung is having some problems with its close neighbours in Japan. Pioneer is the latest giant that is suing Samsung on a patent regarding an electrode configuration that improves plasma display quality, as well as a patent covering a manufacturing step that increases the brightness of a display, as noted by Betanews.

Samsung is currently also being sued by Fujitsu and Panasonic parent Matsushita for patent disputes. I guess the ones that are going to be happy after this fiasco is over are the lawyers.

Pioneer Sues Samsung Over Patent Violations source