SEOUL, KOREA -- 08/20/08 --
Seoul Semiconductor Co. Ltd. ("Seoul"), a
leading Korean light emitting diode (LED) manufacturer, announced that it
plans to vigorously defend a lawsuit filed by Nichia Corporation (
"Nichia") in the Eastern District of Michigan claiming infringement of US
patent 6,870,191. After review of Nichia's '191 patent, Seoul believes that
Nichia's lawsuit lacks merit and that the patent's LED substrate is
patterned with a protruded and recessed trapezoid, which is different
from Seoul's products.
A federal judge in a California lawsuit, case number (C060162EMC), who
denied Nichia's motions for an injunction and attorney's fees
against Seoul, noted that Nichia seemed to be using lawsuits "attempting to
obtain some unstated ancillary advantage over [Seoul]
in Asia." Seoul believes that Nichia's latest lawsuit is a similar misuse
of the legal process.
Currently, Seoul and Nichia are engaged in twelve lawsuits throughout the
world. Recently, Seoul was successful in invalidating in Korea one of
Nichia's core LED patents for lack of novelty. In this latest Michigan
lawsuit, Seoul will also seek to invalidate Nichia's '191 patent based on
prior art.
Due to Seoul's continued excellence in innovation, Seoul has rights to more
than 2,000 patents, including the Acriche technology, which is the only
semiconductor lighting source powered by AC current, and deep ultraviolet
LEDs. Seoul's technology has attracted cross licenses with other leading
global LED manufacturers. Seoul values and respects the intellectual
property rights of others, and expects the same in return.
About Seoul Semiconductor
Seoul Semiconductor, the world's leading LED manufacturer, has been named
to Forbes and Business Weeks lists as one of the most promising Asian
companies. Its product, Acriche, was recently 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$266 million in sales in 2007. It has 1,443
patents and 264 licenses as of December, 2007. Seoul Semiconductor has 18
branches including 3 overseas corporate offices. Its products are also
represented worldwide by more than 90 distributors.
For more information please contact:
Daniel Park
Marketing PR manager (in Korea)
E-mail : daniel.park@acriche.com
Tel : +82-31-364-3789
