Seoul Semiconductor Wins LED Patent Case against AOT

SEOUL, KOREA – Apr. 3, 2008 – Seoul Semiconductor, one of the world’s leading LED manufacturers, announced today that it won the white LED patent invalidation lawsuit filed by Taiwan-based AOT in the Korean Supreme Court on 14th of last month. Seoul Semiconductor has also agreed to sign a patent license agreement with Itswell, a Korea-based LED corporation. The decision to sign a white LED patent license agreement with Itswell came with the mutual agreement between Seoul Semiconductor and Itswell to settle the white LED patent lawsuits and claims amicably. The license agreement will allow Seoul Semiconductor to collect royalty payments from Itswell for the use of its patent on white LED manufacturing technology in the past and for future use of the patent. An official with Seoul Semiconductor said, “With the Itswell license agreement, we will help create an atmosphere where companies respect each others’ patents, and at the same time build a cooperative relationship with other LED corporations. However, we will take strong action against those who do not respect intellectual property rights.” According to Deutsche Bank, by 2017 the LED industry is expected to grow to the same size as the memory semiconductor industry. On the national economic front, LEDs are expected to play a significant role in the IT industry together with LCD, PDP and cellular phones. With this growth expected in the LED market, approximately 100 LED-related companies in Korea, including Seoul Semiconductor, one of the five largest LED package manufacturers in the world, have engaged in large-scale investment, R&D and business expansion activities. The agreement with Itswell and the patent lawsuit victories have reconfirmed Seoul Semiconductor’s strong patent portfolio in the highly competitive patent market. Seoul Semiconductor has expanded its patent portfolio through continuous R&D investment over the last 15 years and has applied for, registered, and secured about 2,000 patents in major LED countries such as the US, Europe, Japan, China, and Taiwan.

Hyesun Paek
Seoul Semiconductor
Tel: +82-31-364-3787
E-mail: s1u0n0@acriche.com

Josie Lee
Brodeur
Tel: 1-602-808-1162
E-mail: jlee@brodeur.com

About Seoul Semiconductor
Seoul Semiconductor, the world’s leading LED manufacturer, has been named to Forbes and BusinessWeek’s lists as one of the most promising Asian companies. Its product, Acriche, was named as "Product of the Year 2006" by Elektronik, one of the most prestigious electronics magazines in Europe. 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 source, Acriche, High-brightness Power, Side View, Top, Chip, Lamp and 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 US$290 million in sales in 2007. It has 1,443 patents and 264 licenses as of December 2007. Seoul Semiconductor has 25 branches including 3 overseas corporate offices. Its products are also represented worldwide by more than 90 distributors.

This release was published on openPR.