Samsung is a partner and enemy of the Apple company, Sharp is one of the partners that should have replaced the Korean company in terms of screen production. Sharp had very big financial problems in the last year, and those from Samsung are taking advantage of the opportunity to buy a part of the share package of a company that works closely with Apple. Samsung would get 3% of Sharp's share package, but the partnership itself is important, because Samsung would get access to internal information and ensure a constant flow of screens for its televisions.
South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co Ltd is set to invest about $110 million in struggling Sharp Corp, a deal that will ensure it a smooth supply of large-sized TV panels and help bolster the Japanese company's chances of survival. The 10 billion yen investment will give Samsung a 3 percent stake in Sharp, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. "Rather than the amount of investment, it is the partnership with Samsung that Sharp gains that is important. Sharp gains an opportunity to use the Samsung platform," said Tetsuro Ii, chief executive officer of Commons AM, a Tokyo-based investment fund.
If for Koreans and Japanese the partnership is auspicious, for Apple there is a problem, considering that Samsung is recognized for the way it treats its confidential information. Apple could give up a good part of its collaboration with Sharp because of this partnership, all to protect its industrial secrets that Samsung is just waiting to get its hands on.
