[scratt]

Hmmm.. Open Box, discount?

LCD panels do burn-in, contrary to popular belief. Not as bad as Plasmas, but they do all the same...

I wonder if your screen had been on display showing the same image for long periods of time?

Are the patches there every-time you turn it on, or are they fading with more use?

From what you say it's not 100% clear if you are talking about light related patches, or panel blemishes.. If it's simply light / dark patches in the illumination it may be something to do with the display lighting rather like the sub-standard patches of light and dark on some Apple MBP screens..

Either way Samsung screens are awesome, and super good quality.. So it should not be doing any of the things you describe.