(Changes dateline)
* ITC says Sharp infringed a Samsung patent
* ITC issues exclusion order for some Sharp products
TOKYO/WASHINGTON, June 25 (Reuters) - Sharp Corp said it may appeal a ruling by a U.S. trade panel that said the Japanese electronics maker had violated an LCD patent held by South Korea's Samsung Electronics.
The two liquid crystal display TV makers, locked in a string of suits and countersuits, are also awaiting a ruling by the U.S. International Trade Commission on a separate decision in favour of Sharp earlier this month.
Patent suits, appeals and settlements are often a long prelude to a cross-license agreement.
"We will study the ruling and take necessary steps, including the possibility of an appeal," Sharp said in a statement read by a spokesman, who declined to comment on the possibility of cross-licensing.
Sharp, the world's fourth-largest LCD TV maker, and market leader Samsung are grappling with cut-throat price competition and weak demand for bigger TVs with higher profit margins.
The ITC ruled on Wednesday that Sharp had infringed one Samsung patent, and issued a limited exclusion order banning imports of some Sharp products into the United States.
Earlier this month, an administrative law judge reporting to the commission had ruled in a separate case that Samsung had violated four of Sharp's patents, and recommended that the ITC ban imports to the U.S of the infringing Samsung products.
Sharp first sued Samsung over liquid crystal display patent violations in 2007 in a Texas court, and Samsung promptly countersued in both Texas and in Delaware.
The case is: Investigation No. 337-TA-631. International Trade Commission. (Reporting by Mayumi Negishi in TOKYO and Diane Bartz in WASHINGTON; Editing by Chris Gallagher)