Osram and Avago sign LED patent cross-license agreement

Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH and Avago Technologies have signed a limited patent cross-license agreement, with each side gaining the rights to use the other's LED technology.

Osram has granted Avago a license for several patents to manufacture and sell white LEDs with a specific conversion technology, as well as surface mount (SMT) LEDs. Avago Technologies has granted Osram a patent license covering LED systems, including systems for projection and flat-panel LCDs.

Conversion technology for LEDs enables the production of white LEDs using blue-emitting InGaN (indium gallium nitride)-based chips and a suitable fluorescent converter. Osram has licensed terbium aluminum garnet (TAG) phosphor technology to a number of other companies.

SMT mounting forms are very small and allow easy processing in industrial series manufacturing. Osram holds patents for several mounting forms and packages for SMT LEDs.

Osram has previously signed patent licensing agreements with Nichia, Rohm, Everlight, Lite On, Stanley, Harvatek, Ya Shin, Vishay, Samsung Electro Mechanics and Lednium (see Patents channel: Blue and white LEDs).

"Today's agreements are significant for both companies and, more importantly, represent a win for our customers, who now have more choices for their lighting requirements," said Rüdiger Mueller, CEO of Osram Opto Semiconductors. "Over the years, we have established a very strong position with considerable intellectual property at our disposal."

Avago Technologies has developed LED-based systems that enable color management for backlighting and illumination. The company holds patents for technology that makes it possible to maintain constant color and brightness over the lifetime of RGB LEDs, including variations in ambient temperature. This technology allows LCD manufacturers to achieve true-to-life colors and maintain a set color point over the life of a television's display.

"We are pleased to enter into this cross-license agreement with Osram," said Lee Soo Ghee, vice president and general manager for the Optoelectronic Products Division at Avago Technologies. "This agreement is a positive step toward accelerating the adoption of both white and RGB LEDs. With a foundation of more than 2,000 patents, our strategy is to leverage Avago's substantial intellectual property, design expertise and system-level knowledge to win in our markets."

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