Patent exchange triggers progress in LED technology
The Japanese high-tech company Toyoda Gosei Ltd. (Aichi/Japan) and OSRAM GmbH (Munich/Germany) have signed an agreement for the mutual use of patents for certain LED and laser technologies.
Cooperation relates to indium gallium nitride (InGaN) technologies which form the basis for semiconductor lasers and LEDs in white, blue and green. From OSRAM’s side, this mainly involves basic technologies for the industrial production of LEDs and semiconductor lasers, and patents for white LEDs. Toyoda Gosei, which developed the world’s first blue LED in 1991, possesses protected know-how relating to blue LEDs.
The agreement will make it much easier for both companies to develop, manufacture and market new products without fear of unintentional patent violations. The two companies are looking forward above all to considerable and speedy improvements in the luminous intensity of LEDs.
Dr. Rüdiger Müller, CEO of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors said: "The agreement with Toyoda Gosei is a prime example of respectful and responsible dealings with the intellectual property of other companies – with benefits for both the market and customers. Our cooperation with Toyoda Gosei, one of the world's most innovative LED manufacturers, will help make LED technology more available and will enable the infant market for LED products to develop in a spirit of fair competition."
This agreement is further proof of the strength of OSRAM's patent policy. The company has one of the most extensive patent portfolios in opto electronics. OSRAM relentlessly pursues any infringements of its patent rights. At the same time, it has entered a large number of license agreements with other companies for the use of OSRAM patents and for the exchange of patents.
About OSRAM:
OSRAM is one of the two leading lighting manufacturers in the world. Sales in the year ending September 30, 2006 totalled 4.6 billion euros, 88 percent of which came from outside Germany. OSRAM is a high-tech company in the lighting sector. Around 40 percent of sales comes from innovative products. This global player employs around 40,000 people worldwide, supplies customers in some 150 countries and has 49 production facilities in 18 countries (www.osram.com).
About OSRAM Opto Semiconductors:
OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH, Regensburg, is a subsidiary of OSRAM. It offers its customers solutions based on semiconductor technology for the lighting, sensor and visualization sectors. The company has sites in Regensburg, Santa Clara (USA) and Penang (Malaysia). In the 2006 fiscal year (to September 30, 2006) more than 3500 employees of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors produced sales totalling around 500 million euros. (www.osram-os.com).
