The history of white leds ( 2) : the battlefield from the court to the market

The history of white leds ( A) — — Exclusive monopoly collapse, bringing in the era of competition 'case fighting again also won't have any good' ( Toyota synthesis) 。 Around the blue light emitting diode ( 领导) Such as the nichia patent infringement lawsuit which war industry and Toyota synthetic finally reached a settlement in September 17, 2002.

products manufacturers welcomed the reconciliation 'finally usher in the age' is free to use blue leds. There are two reasons for roughly. One is embedded on the device, the chemical industry with Toyota synthetic blue leds, need not worry so involved in a legal dispute. And after, using any of the blue LED, is likely to be sued by the other party.

another reason is that, increase the market into the blue LED manufacturers, 'the price is higher than that of red leds more than single digits' to eliminate the possibility of improving. Even, the chemical industry reached a settlement with Toyota synthesis, there is no guarantee that other manufacturers in producing blue leds do not infringe the patent of the two companies. But the settlement means, the patent strategy transformation of the chemical industry. After the company has a 'sell products don't sell patent' attitude, but with the settlement as an opportunity, hereafter have may provide technology licensing. So then you will have a vendor, the patent right to the use chemical industry permission. In the threshold of the blue LED the market actually decreased.

played six years in a row since 1996 lawsuit nichia industrial synthesis the cause of the settlement with Toyota, because blue LED because of the great changes have taken place in the environment ( FIG. 1) 。 Before the two companies have been relying on supply and technical strength, leading the blue LED the development of the market, but now I have been unable to assert who is the absolute leader. This is because the Japanese rivals have appeared at home and abroad, and has begun to rise quickly.

'light output power less than daily chemical industry with Toyota synthesis' of career in the United States, as well as manufacturing costs only half Japanese manufacturers ( Taiwan China photoelectric) Taiwan manufacturers have in with the chemical industry and Toyota synthesis vying for supremacy.

although competitors rise, but for other LED manufacturers, nichia industry and company still have special status. The reason is that blue leds luminous element, such as GaN like many patents are still in the two companies, especially in the hands of the chemical industry. In the market and technology change and settlement after the two companies to take what kind of patent strategy and technology development strategy, is related to the two companies will gain more than other companies.

for other manufacturers, along with the increasing use and pressing for blue LED, low power consumption of the technology, etc. , will have the chance to get a new patent. This relates to in the future market, these companies are, the chemical industry or Toyota synthetic annexation or annex each other. ( The reporter okubo, the nikkei electronics ')

in the graph listed in chronological order, the chemical industry from 1993 blue light-emitting diode ( 领导) After today, blue LED and white LED GaN, such as the types of leds and litigation. Initially, GaN class is given priority to with blue LED, LED market, the chemical industry has been in a strong position in the litigation, but the situation has changed before and after 2001. In Taiwan caused the price of blue LED to a sharp decline, GaN class LED market focus to higher value of white leds. After losing, the chemical industry.

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