A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for other lighting. When a light-emitting diode is switched on, electrons are able to recombine with electron holes within the device, releasing energy in the form of photons. This effect is called electroluminescence and the color of the (more…)

In previous posts here and here, I discussed the major LED patent war between Samsung and Osram in various fora around the world including the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).

Recently, the two companies reached a settlement, and the ITC terminated its investigation. Although the (more…)

Intematix, a Fremont, California, company, has developed LED lighting technology that involves separating the LED chips from their complementary phosphors. This approach differs from that of conventional LEDs in which the phosphor is incorporated in the LED chip package and close to or in contact with a light (more…)

Dutch electronics giant Philips and its LED subsidiary Philips Lumileds Lighting Company (collectively “Philips”) have launched the opening shot in what could become a major green patent war.

In a complaint (Philips-Seoul-Complaint) filed last month in federal court in Santa Ana, California, Philips accused its Korean (more…)

Japanese LED maker Nichia has initiated another patent infringement suit, this time against a Washington state hand tool company called Wilmar Corporation (Wilmar).

The complaint (nichia-wilmar-complaint.pdf), filed in the Eastern District of Texas in Marshall, accuses Wilmar of infringing U.S. Patent Nos. 5,998,925 (’925 Patent), (more…)