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Seoul files ITC complaint against Nichia for GaN laser patent infringement

Korea’s Seoul Semiconductor Co Ltd has filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) alleging that Japan’s Nichia Corp engaged in unfair trade practices through the importation and sales of gallium nitride based laser diode products that infringe its US patent no. 5,321,713 (‘Aluminum gallium nitride laser’, filed in June 1992 and granted in June 1994).

Seoul Semiconductor says that it has invested more than $10m in R&D of laser diode and LED related technologies by US-based universities and companies, an d that it has obtained rights to numerous laser diode and LED related patents.

Seoul Semiconductor also has another pending lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on 6 November, alleging that Nichia’s sale of LEDs infringe its US patent no. 5,075,742 (‘Semiconductor structure for optoelectronic components with inclusions’, filed in January 1991 and granted in December 1991) covering technologies related to white, blue, green and UV LEDs and laser diodes.

Seoul Semiconductor anticipates that the ITC`s investigation of Nichia will start in January and be tried in fall 2008.

*Acriche receives global product safety certification

Seoul Semiconductor says that its Acriche LED, which it claims is the world’s first semiconductor lighting source that can be driven directly from an AC outlet without a converter, has received CE Marking and German TUV certification, confirming that it conforms to stringent global standards for product safety. Acriche is the world's first LED package to receive CE Marking certification.

In August 2008, the European Union will implement the Energy-using Products (EuP) Directive, which will require specific electrical and electronic devices to attain CE Marking certification before they can be traded in the European Union.

Acriche is used in power systems ranging from 100-120V and 220-230V.

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