Cree and Philips sign LED licensing agreement

Cree, Inc. and Philips have signed a comprehensive, worldwide patent cross-license agreement that is “designed to further accelerate the growth of the LED lighting market,” according to a joint press release.

Cree and Philips both hold “broad and substantial” optoelectronic patent portfolios. This agreement covers patents from both parties in the fields of blue LED chip technology, white LEDs and phosphors (including remote phosphors), control systems, LED luminaires and lamps. It also covers LED backlighting of liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), and patents in the Philips LED Luminaire Licensing Program.

Several other companies, including Osram, Zumtobel and Acuity Brands, have already joined Philips’ licensing program.

“This agreement demonstrates the breadth and depth of both companies’ intellectual property, as well as the fundamental nature and value these patents bring to the market,” said Chuck Swoboda, Cree chairman and CEO. “It also signals both companies’ commitment to growing the LED market while respecting the value and importance of international intellectual property laws.”

Rudy Provoost, CEO of Philips Lighting, said that the “wide-ranging IP portfolios” of Philips and Cree reflect the “significant investment in innovation” that the companies have made in LED lighting. “We wish to see the accelerated adoption of LED lighting, and are therefore delighted that Cree will be joining our LED Luminaire Licensing Program,” added Provoost.