Nichia and ams Osram have expanded their longstanding collaboration: Nichia President Hiroyoshi Ogawa and ams Osram CEO Aldo Kamper have signed a comprehensive cross-licence agreement covering thousands of patent-protected innovations in LED and laser technologies.
The agreement grants the companies mutual access to each other’s patents for nitride LED and laser components and, for the first time, also covers sophisticated LED packages and LED modules such as matrix headlamps. The move aims to strengthen the industry- leading IP protection both companies offer to their customers.
Both companies have invested heavily in R&D over decades. With the new agreement, they can offer customers enhanced IP safety when using products based on their patented technologies. The two suppliers have a long history of cross-licence agreements, which started in 2002, with an update in 2010. The new agreement covers R&D results from the last 15 years.
Kamper says, “In an industry driven by innovation, intellectual property is the foundation of trust and long-term value. Unfortunately, we continue to see LED and laser products entering the market that do not meet essential IP standards. Together with Nichia, we encourage customers to scrutinize claims of IP compliance and to choose partners holding a unique IP position like ams Osram and Nichia.
Ogawa, for his part, says, “As the two global leaders in the LED and laser industry, Nichia and ams Osram have renewed the most comprehensive and robust cross-licensing agreement in the sector. Customers who select products from Nichia or ams Osram benefit from extensive patent protection, ensuring confidence in their business activities. Standing together, we will continue to safeguard the market’s integrity by encouraging respect for intellectual property throughout our industry”.
