Jan. 22 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. agreed to investigate Samsung Electronics Co.'s claim that Sharp Corp. infringed four patents on liquid-crystal displays in televisions, computer monitors and other electronics.

The International Trade Commission in Washington said today it will review the complaint against Osaka-based Sharp, Japan's largest maker of LCDs. Seoul-based Samsung seeks to block imports of products using Sharp LCDs, such as high-definition TVs and Motorola Inc.'s RAZR2 mobile phone.

Samsung, the world's biggest maker of flat screens used in computers and TVs, is seeking to fend off competition from Sharp as a global demand grows for LCDs. A Goldman Sachs Group Inc. analyst said last week there are concerns of an LCD supply shortage. The companies have sued each other in federal courts in Texas and Delaware, and in Seoul.

Samsung is relying more on its LCD business to compensate for eroding prices on computer-memory chips. LCDs generated about a third of Samsung's operating profit last year.

The ITC is a government agency that aims to protect the U.S. market from unfair trade practices, including patent infringement. It typically makes a decision in about 15 months.

To review the disputed patents through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's Web site, search for patent numbers 7,193,666; 6,771,344; 7,295,196 and 6,937,311 at http://patft.uspto.gov.

The case is In the Matter of Certain Liquid Crystal Display Devices and Products Containing Same, 337-631, U.S. International Trade Commission.

To contact the reporter on this story: Susan Decker in Washington at sdecker1@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: January 22, 2008 16:28 EST