Seoul Semiconductor Co., Ltd. and Nichia Corporation announced that they have settled all litigations on patent and other issues as well as other legal disputes currently pending between them in the United States, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, and Korea. The settlement includes a cross license agreement covering LEDs and laser diode technologies which will permit the companies to access all of each other's patented technologies.
In accordance with the settlement terms, all Litigations will be terminated as promptly as possible by mutual withdrawals, with the exception of litigation in Germany involving patent DE 691-07-630 T2 of EP 0-437-385 B1, which will be resolved following a February 2009 hearing.
Seoul Semiconductor, a world leading LED manufacturer, was ranked 6th in the world in the global high-brightness LED market based on sales volume in 2007. Seoul Semiconductor has been named in Forbes and Business Week's lists as one of the most promising Asian companies. Its main offering, the Acriche LED, was also named “Product of the Year” by Elektronik in 2006, one of the most prestigious electronics publications in Europe. In 2008, this award was given again to Seoul Semiconductor's Flash LED product. Acriche, developed in 2006, is operated directly through AC current without any converters needed for DC LED operation, extending the LED's life span and making installation costs easier and less expensive. With these important benefits, Acriche LED technology is expected to pioneer the future of the lighting industry. With its cutting-edge technology, Acriche has been awarded in Newtech Korea 2008 and named as Korea Ten Best New Technologies of 2008. Seoul Semiconductor's primary business areas are LED packaging and custom module manufacturing. It provides a full range of LED products including AC-driven semiconductor light sources, Acriche brand products, High-Brightness-Power products, Side-View LEDs, Top LEDs, Chip LEDs, Lamp products, High-Flux LEDs, and custom-type modules. Applications for the company's LED products include general lighting, signage, back lighting for mobile phones, TVs, notebook computers, automotive lighting, home appliances, signals, etc. Seoul Semiconductor reported KRW 250.2b in sales in 2007. It has 1,960 patents and 391 licenses as of December 2008. Seoul Semiconductor has 25 branches including 3 overseas corporate offices. Its products are also represented by more than 113 worldwide distributors.
