Eleven people have been arrested in connection with leaking a technology that's being used by Samsung to make next-generation flat screen TVs. The suspects also reportedly sold the technology to a Samsung Mobile Display (SMD) competitor.

Police said on Thursday that the suspects transferred the technology to a rival local firm, using past and/or current connections to the companies. The police added the suspects are employees of Samsung or the local firm.

"A 46-year-old former researcher at SMD, whose name was withheld, is suspected of receiving 190 million won (US$168,544) from the competitor in exchange for secret data on the so-called "small mask scanning" technology involved in building active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) displays for large televisions. Until now, AMOLED displays have mostly been used for small smart devices," Yonhap News reported.

Small mask scanning replaces fine metal masking, used to make OLED panels. Samsung was set to debut a 65-inch TV this year showing off the technology.

The competitor could be LG, though the company isn't using AMOLED technology: they're using WOLED-CF, OLED-Info noted. However, LG is working on making larger screens. This information will undoubtedly help them do that, though it remains to be seen at what cost. LG already announced a 55-inch TV for the fourth quarter of this year that is 4mm thick and weighs 7.5kg. It will produce the most natural colours on a TV ever, the company said.

The technology is valued at around 90 trillion won. It was expected to help Samsung gain a large section of the market of AMOLED TVs.

Yonhap News also said the 46-year-old suspect was involved in developing the technology, moved to the rival company during November 2011 and then leaked the data. Part of the reason for this is because he apparently didn't receive an executive position and, following that, tried to share information with a Chinese display maker.

"Police said they have sought an arrest warrant for the 46-year-old and booked the other 10 suspects without detention," Yonhap News added.

More information will surface if the suspects go the court. The Korean police have not released additional information.

(reported by Jonathan Charles, edited by Surojit Chatterjee)