News

18 July 2008

 

Seoul refutes Nichia’s German patent infringement allegation

In response to the lawsuit filed in Germany last week by Japanese rival Nichia Corp alleging infringement of its European patent [EP(DE) 622858], Korean LED maker Seoul Semiconductor Co Ltd claims that Nichia’s patent has already been examined by experts, and that it has been determined that its Acriche technology is different from that covered by Nichia’s patent. Seoul Semiconductor says it is therefore confident that its Acriche LED does not infringe Nichia’s patent.

Nichia has filed several lawsuits against Seoul Semiconductor in USA, Korea, UK and Germany. Seoul believes that these lawsuits are without merit, and highlights statements made by Judge Chesney of the US District Court for the Northern District of California in the Design patent infringement litigation between Seoul Semiconductor and Nichia. Chesney noted in her recent order that “Plaintiff [Nichia] fails to explain why its use of the United States federal court system for a purpose having nothing of real substance to do with the United States is justified”. Chesney further stated that “the extent plaintiff [Nichia], in seeking a jury verdict…, may have been attempting to obtain some unstated ancillary advantage over defendants in Asia”.

Seoul Semiconductor has also filed multiple lawsuits against Nichia for patent infringement and expects the outcome of these lawsuits to affect a wide range products and businesses. “We respect other company’s intellectual property rights,” claims the firm. “If a baseless lawsuit is brought against us, we intend to strongly defend our rights”, it adds. “We further intend to make sure that our customers and business partners are not negatively affected by such lawsuits.”

See related items:

Nichia files German patent lawsuit against Seoul Semiconductor’s Acriche products

Korean IP tribunal rules Seoul Semi LED design invalid

US court rejects Nichia’s $2.5m claim for fees against Seoul

Nichia files UK lawsuit against Seoul’s Acriche products

Nichia sues Japan Seoul Semiconductor over white LEDs for keypads, indicators

ITC investigating Nichia’s short-wavelength lasers

Seoul counter-sues Nichia for defamation

Nichia sues Seoul Semiconductor for defamation

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