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News Article

Cree, Inc. Forms Alliance with Rohm Co., Ltd

Source: Cree, Inc.

Durham, NC. Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE), the world leader in the development and manufacture of semiconductor materials and devices made from silicon carbide (SiC), today announced it has formed an alliance with Rohm Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of integrated circuits and other electronic components. Rohm, one of the top 10 worldwide optoelectronics component manufacturers, has entered into a license agreement with Cree under which Rohm has granted Cree a five-year exclusive license to several U.S. patents and a non-exclusive license under a Japanese patent for optoelectronic devices. The companies have also signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding for the cooperative development of a packaged blue laser diode for consumer applications. In addition, Cree and Rohm have entered into an annual supply agreement for the purchase by Rohm of LED chips manufactured by Cree.

Neal Hunter, Cree Chairman and CEO stated, "We believe this alliance strengthens Cree s already impressive intellectual property position. It also launches yet another new phase in Cree s laser diode development efforts. As a result of this alliance, Cree could potentially reduce the time to market of a commercially viable laser device. Given Rohm s packaging experience and market leadership in optoelectronics, the alliance may be particularly beneficial to Cree s laser diode plans in the consumer arena for DVD-type applications." Hunter added, "Although the alliance does not include joint LED development, it provides yet another customer relationship for Cree s LED chip product line, comparable to those we have established over the past ten years with other LED component manufacturers in Japan."

Hidemi Takasu, Director and Member of the Board of Rohm added, "We are excited about the opportunity to work with Cree. They have made tremendous advances with their SiC and GaN LED and laser diode devices. Combined with Rohm s product capabilities and market knowledge, we believe we are well positioned to introduce cost-effective products."

Rohm Co., Ltd., established in Kyoto, Japan in 1958, designs and manufactures integrated circuits (ICs) and other electronic components. Rohm s product lineup includes monolithic ICs, power modules, transistors, diodes, LEDs, laser diodes, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), printheads, resistors, and capacitors. For more information on Rohm, visit http://www.rohm.com.

North Carolina-based Cree, Inc. develops and manufactures semiconductor materials and devices based on silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN) and related compounds. The company s products include blue and green LEDs, RF power transistors for use in wireless infrastructure applications, SiC crystals used in the production of unique gemstones and SiC wafers sold for use in research and development. Cree has new product initiatives based on its experience in SiC and GaN-based semiconductors, including blue laser diodes for optical storage applications, high frequency microwave devices for radar and other communications systems, and power devices for power conditioning and switching. For more information on Cree, visit http://www.cree.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of factors, including the risk the parties may be unable to conclude a mutually acceptable cooperative development agreement as contemplated by the memorandum of understanding; risks associated with our introduction of new products, including uncertain demand and the potential for reduced demand for other products; the risk we may be unable to develop, manufacture and market commercially viable laser diode products at competitive prices or with acceptable margins; the rapid development of new technologies that reduce the expected demand for blue laser diodes; uncertainty whether intellectual property rights we hold will provide meaningful protection and whether we will be successful in pending intellectual property litigation relating to our products; and other factors discussed in Cree s report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 25, 2000 and subsequent quarterly report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact: Fran Barsky of Cree, Inc., Tel: 919-313-5397 Fax: 919-313-5452 fran_barsky@cree.com

 

Fran Barsky of Cree, Inc.,
Tel: 919-313-5397
Fax: 919-313-5452
fran_barsky@cree.com
 
E-mail: fran_barsky@cree.com
Web site: http://www.cree.com
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