OSRAM and Toyoda Gosei sign patent agreement

31.10.2007 | Trade Press

The Japanese high-tech company Toyoda Gosei Ltd. (Aichi/Japan) and OSRAM GmbH (Munich/Germany) have signed an agreement for the mutual use of patents for certain LED and laser technologies.

Cooperation relates to indium gallium nitride (InGaN) technologies which form the basis for semiconductor lasers and LEDs in white, blue and green. From OSRAM's side, this mainly involves basic technologies for the industrial production of LEDs and semiconductor lasers, and patents for white LEDs. Toyoda Gosei, which developed the world's first blue LED in 1991, possesses protected know-how relating to blue LEDs.

The agreement will make it much easier for both companies to develop, manufacture and market new products without fear of unintentional patent violations. The two companies are looking forward above all to considerable and speedy improvements in the luminous intensity of LEDs.

Dr. Rüdiger Müller, CEO of OSRAM Opto Semiconductors said: "The agreement with Toyoda Gosei is a prime example of respectful and responsible dealings with the intellectual property of other companies - with benefits for both the market and customers. Our cooperation with Toyoda Gosei, one of the world's most innovative LED manufacturers, will help make LED technology more available and will enable the infant market for LED products to develop in a spirit of fair competition."

This agreement is further proof of the strength of OSRAM's patent policy. The company has one of the most extensive patent portfolios in opto electronics. OSRAM relentlessly pursues any infringements of its patent rights. At the same time, it has entered a large number of license agreements with other companies for the use of OSRAM patents and for the exchange of patents.