Cree and Epistar Signed a Global LED Chip Patent Cross-License Agreement
Cree, Inc. and Epistar Corporation have signed a worldwide patent cross-license agreement for light emitting diode (LED) chips to further advance the growth of the LED lighting and LED bulb markets. Cree and Epistar both hold broad and substantial LED chip patent portfolios that are important for making blue LEDs, the foundation of white LEDs found in most lighting products manufactured worldwide. Under the terms of the agreement, each party receives a license to the other’s nitride LED chip patents and is granted certain rights to non-nitride LED chip patents. Over the term of the agreement, Cree will receive a licensing fee and royalty payments from Epistar.
“Cree’s pioneering technology and resulting broad patent portfolio has significantly advanced performance in LED and LED Lighting products. Cree is pleased to enter into this LED chip license agreement with Epistar, a leading chip innovator and manufacturer of LEDs used by packagers and lighting companies,” said Chuck Swoboda, Cree Chairman and CEO. “This agreement underscores both companies’ commitment to accelerating the adoption of LED lighting while respecting the value and importance of international intellectual property laws.”
“The patent license agreement we have achieved will help us to accelerate the R&D activities for creating new innovation. In addition, it is a clear indication of the strength of our LED chip patent portfolio and our desire to further the growth of the LED lighting market,” stated BJ Lee, Chairman of Epistar. “By entering into this cross-license agreement with Cree, Epistar is able to provide LED chips that ultimately benefit our customers across the world.”
Other terms of the license agreement were not disclosed. No technology transfer between the parties was included in the agreement.
About Cree:
Cree is leading the LED lighting revolution and making energy-wasting traditional lighting technologies obsolete through the use of energy-efficient, mercury-free LED lighting. Cree is a market-leading innovator of lighting-class LEDs, LED lighting, and semiconductor products for power and radio frequency (RF) applications.
Cree’s product families include LED fixtures and bulbs, blue and green LED chips, high-brightness LEDs, lighting-class power LEDs, power-switching devices and RF devices. Cree® products are driving improvements in applications such as general illumination, backlighting, electronic signs and signals, power suppliers and solar inverters. Please refer to www.cree.com for additional product and company information.
About Epistar:
Epistar Corp. is the world’s largest manufacturer and solutions provider for LED epitaxial wafers and dies. Its product line covers the entire spectrum of LED epi-wafers and dies: an AlGaInP line encompassing red, orange, yellow, and yellow-green light LEDs, an InGaN line encompassing blue, green, and ultraviolet light LEDs, and Power IR products. Its products are used in markets including general lighting, backlighting for medium- to large-sized LCD screens, automobiles, and LED signage.
Epistar leads the industry in its R&D and production scale for AlGaInP LEDs and InGaN LEDs, and actively deploying its patent portfolio as well as numerous technology platforms. It reached patent cross-licensing agreements with Toyoda Gosei in 2010 and Philips in 2013, and has rapidly expanded production and product application development through acquisitions and strategic alliances. For more information, please visit www.epistar.com
