Everlight files patent infringement lawsuit against Nichia in USA

Everlight Electronics Co Ltd (Taiwan's largest LED assembly manufacturer) has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Japan-based LED-making rival Nichia Corp in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. The lawsuit seeks to enjoin Nichia from manufacturing, using, importing, offering for sale, or selling its infringing products in the USA. The firm also seeks monetary damages. In addition, it is asking the US court to declare two Nichia patents invalid, unenforceable and improperly issued by the US Patent Office.

Everlight says that the legal action is part of its continued global effort to enforce its intellectual property rights and to protect its products and its customers from litigation attacks by Nichia.

In its complaint, Everlight is seeking enforcement of US Patent No. 6,653,215, which covers LED metallization technology. The firm is the exclusive US licensee of the patent, which is owned by Emcore Corp.

Uses for Nichia's LEDs being sold in the USA that are alleged to infringe on the patent include residential lighting products, street lights and spotlights. The market for these products is growing rapidly in the USA as consumers, electric utilities and utility regulators seek to reduce overall electricity consumption and cost. Highly energy-efficient LED lights consume substantially less electricity than equivalent incandescent light bulbs, Everlight notes. LED lights also last more than 100 times longer than equivalent incandescent bulbs and more than 10 times longer than equivalent compact fluorescent bulbs.

Everlight is also asking the US court to declare that Nichia's US Patent Nos. 5,998,925 and 7,531,960 are invalid, unenforceable and improperly issued by the US Patent Office and that Everlight's LED products do not infringe on those patents. Those patents cover the use of certain types of phosphors in making white-light LEDs.

In response to this need, Cirrus Logic, an integrated circuit developer, has launched a new CS161X digital LED controller chips that support dimmer-friendly LEDs. These newly designed LEDs are currently available at BulbAmerica. These dimmers were validated with a proven compatibility of about 98 %.The units have been integrated with LED bulbs manufactured from a leading European company. The newly-designed LED lighting units are currently being sold.

According to a BulbAmerica expert, the demand for these LED bulbs is increasing and will grow up to 1 B in another two years.

In addition to the CS161X, Cirrus Logic will also introduce the CS163x, a new LED IC series capable of handling dimming and color mixing, and generating improved warmer and natural light. This new series from Cirrus Logic will enable solving the challenges associated with LED dimmer compatibility. Previously established lighting technologies are being replaced with advanced lighting technology, and the market supports the incorporation of new generation, eco- and consumer- friendly technology.