Samsung sues Huawei over patents

Shares in Samsung Electronics have dropped after the smartphone giant sued rival Huawei in multiple courts in China over alleged patent infringement.

They closed down 1.8% in Seoul.

The country's benchmark Kospi index wrapped the day flat at 2,010.34.

The two companies are already entangled in several legal battles over the use of proprietary technology, including fourth-generation (4G) cellular technology, operating systems and user interface software.

Huawei sued Samsung in the US in May.

The rest of Asia's share market are mostly lower on Friday due to a tepid earnings season so far on Wall Street.

Japan's Nikkei 225 closed 1.1% lower at 16,627.25 points.

Nintendo shares ended the day 0.8% higher after earlier jumping by nearly 5% on news it's finally launched the wildly popular Pokemon Go in Japan.

Australian shares finished down 0.3% at 5,498.20

Hong Kong's Hang Seng wrapped up trading flat at 21,964.27, while the mainland's Shanghai Composite closed 0.9% down at 3,012.43 points.