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    1. Specialty SSL
    2. Backlighting Signs & Displays

    Rambus acquires patents, technology from Global Lighting Technologies

    Dec. 15, 2009
    A developer of LED backlighting technology has sold its portfolio to a technology licensing company.

    Rambus Inc., a technology licensing company based in Los Altos, California, has acquired technology and a portfolio of advanced lighting and optoelectronics patents from Global Lighting Technologies Inc. (GLT).

    The patented innovations acquired from GLT include MicroLens™ light distribution technology, for which a key application area is LED backlighting of liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The technologies enable cost-effective and ultra-thin form-factor LCD displays, and are also important for new applications such as advanced LED-based general lighting solutions.

    Rambus says that the deal will "broaden [its] solutions for computing and consumer electronics." As part of this agreement, Rambus will pay GLT $26 million.

    Rambus believes that it can "accelerate the market adoption of LED backlighting solutions across a broad range of applications."

    The deal provides Rambus with 84 issued patents encompassing numerous innovations in advanced lighting and optoelectronics. GLT will continue its operations as a leading developer and manufacturer of display backlighting products and now becomes a Rambus licensee for the newly acquired patents and technology.

    It is expected that twelve people will join Rambus from GLT including Jeff Parker, GLT’s co-founder, former CEO and principal inventor. Most of those joining from GLT will form a new Lighting Technology Division led by Parker, which will continue the development of Rambus’ newly acquired innovations and provide complete lighting solutions for customers based on this breakthrough technology. Also joining Rambus is Chris Pickett, formerly GLT’s president of the Licensing Division and general counsel, who will serve as a senior licensing executive for the new Lighting Technology Division.

    “Adding these breakthrough innovations to our portfolio advances our mission of enriching the consumer experience of electronic systems,” said Harold Hughes, president and CEO of Rambus. “Through the work of Jeff Parker and his team, we will continue to enhance the display of games, movies and images on computers and consumer electronic products.”

    “Rambus’ long history of creating and licensing leadership solutions makes it the ideal home for this advanced lighting and optoelectronics technology,” said Jeff Parker. “There are tremendous business and technical synergies created by this acquisition. Rambus’ extensive system and integration expertise greatly complements our new LED-based solutions for bright, thin and vibrant displays.”