Seoul Semiconductor files patent suit against Nichia in the US

The complaint was delivered to Nichia on Thursday, Nov 8, 2007. Seoul Semiconductor illustrated the background of the suit, alleging Nichia's infringement of Seoul Semiconductor's patent covering all Nichia's products of white, blue, green and UV light emitting diodes (LED).

Seoul Semiconductor owns United States Patent 5,075,742 which covers technology related to the semiconductor layer used for white, blue, green and UV LEDs and laser diodes. This was already issued in Japan, Germany, France, United Kingdom and United States. LEDs are key components for mobile phones, automobiles, lighting fixtures, displays, etc. While laser diodes are key components for HD DVDs, Blu-rays, etc.

In 2006 Nichia's revenue from LED and laser diode business reached approximately US$1.3 billion (nearly JY150 billion). Seoul Semiconductor is seeking an injunction, and damages adequate to compensate for past and future infringement of the sales above. Seoul Semiconductor will also continue to exercise the patent right against the companies using Nichia's products in issue.

Seoul Semiconductor has retained Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP to prosecute these claims against Nichia. Weil, Gotshal & Manges' Patent Litigation Group is among the world's most respected, with a talented litigation team led by David C. Radulescu. Radulescu, who earned a Ph.D. in the area of compound semiconductor devices including LEDs and lasers, has extensive experience litigating patents in that area and has won major victories for numerous clients. Especially, Radulescu was a leading counselor representing one of the world's leading LED manufacturers when Nichia filed a lawsuit against the company in 2002. Radulescu achieved a cross license agreement between the Nichia and the LED manufacturer which succeeded in ending all the patent disputes between them.

Seoul Semiconductor relies for its success on the strength of its own intellectual property and its revolutionary advances in technology. Seoul Semiconductor has fulfilled customer's best satisfaction through its consistent advanced technologies and will be the company, which provides a better value to the world.

www.seoulsemicon.com