Company overview. Sharp Corporation (シャープ株式会社, "Sharp") is a Japanese electronics manufacturer founded in September 1912 by Tokuji Hayakawa, originally as a metalworking shop making the Ever-Sharp mechanical pencil. It is headquartered at 1 Takumi-cho, Sakai-ku, Osaka, Japan, and remains listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (ticker 6753; ADRs SHCAY/SHCAF). Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn) has been the controlling shareholder since its 2016 rescue investment, holding roughly 34% directly plus related entities — commonly described as a Foxconn-controlled but still publicly traded company. Sharp reported FY2024 (ended March 31, 2025) consolidated net sales of ¥2,160.1 billion (~US$14–15B), operating profit of ¥27.3 billion, and a return to net profitability (¥36.1 billion) after three loss years, with about 36,000 employees (Sharp IR, Sept. 30, 2025); other data providers cite 40,000–43,000.
Products / operations. Sharp is an operating manufacturer organized into Brand and Device businesses. The Brand Business covers Smart Life & Energy (refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, microwave/steam ovens, Plasmacluster ion products, solar cells, storage batteries), Smart Office (digital multifunction printers, information displays and commercial projectors, POS systems), and Universal Network (AQUOS televisions, audio, PCs, mobile devices). The Device Business spans display devices (LCD panels, including automotive and XR) and electronic devices (camera modules, optical sensors, laser diodes, and wafer foundry services). Sharp has been executing an "asset-light" restructuring, including halting large-size LCD panel production at its Sakai Display Products subsidiary and selling related assets.
Patent-litigation posture. Sharp appears in this database once, and only as a defendant — consistent with an operating company being targeted rather than a patent assertion entity. It is not an NPE and its technology is real, revenue-generating hardware.
Notable case. Digital Security Systems Corporation, LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al., No. 2:2008-cv-00316 (E.D. Tex., Marshall Division, filed Aug. 11, 2008). Sharp Corporation and Sharp Electronics Corporation were among many defendants sued over U.S. Patent No. 6,052,780 on encrypted, self-decrypting digital information products. Plaintiff Digital Security Systems was an Acacia Research Corporation subsidiary asserting acquired patents against Blu-ray player makers including Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Funai, and Best Buy — a plaintiff-friendly EDTX venue typical of such campaigns.