6 June 2011

Osram sues Samsung and LG for LED patent infringement 

Osram GmbH of Munich, Germany (part of the Industry Sector of Siemens, and one of the world’s two leading light manufacturers) has filed legal actions against Samsung group companies and LG group companies in the USA and Germany as well as an LG group company in Japan, alleging infringement of fundamental patent rights on LED technology. Osram also plans to file a lawsuit against LG in China on Tuesday.

Osram claims that Samsung and LG group companies infringe its patents on white and surface-mountable LEDs in the USA, Germany and, as far as LG is concerned, in Japan and China. The firm intends to prevent unauthorized use of its technology and seeks orders from the courts to prevent Samsung and LG from importing and selling infringing LEDs and products containing these LEDs, such as LED-backlit TV sets and computer monitors. In addition, Osram is applying for compensation.

The LED technologies protected by Osram patents relate to the electrical and thermal connection structure as well as to conversion technology, which is used, inter alia, to convert the blue light of the LED chip into white light. Typical applications of such white LEDs include display backlighting for TV sets and monitors.

Osram says that, by taking royalty-bearing licenses, a variety of companies around the world has recognized the value of its patents on conversion technology.

“Our objective in taking legal actions against Samsung and LG group companies is to prevent unauthorized use of our valuable technology,” says Aldo Kamper, CEO of LED-making subsidiary Osram Opto Semiconductors GmbH of Regensburg, Germany. “We have a considerable number of patents which we developed in the course of many years of intensive research and development work,” he adds. “Major competitors such as Philips/Lumileds, Cree, and Nichia have acknowledged our strong IP position by entering into cross-license agreements with Osram.”

See related items:

Cree and Osram sign LED patent cross-license agreement

Toyoda Gosei and Epistar sign LED-related patent cross-license agreement

Cree and Philips agree LED patent cross-license

Tags: Osram Samsung LG LEDs LED patent infringement 

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