Cree settles AXT litigation over GaN LEDs
Cree and Boston University have dropped the patent infringement lawsuit brought against the Fremont, CA, company AXT in June 2003 (see related story) over LED manufacture.
The Durham, NC, semiconductor manufacturer had alleged patent infringement based on LEDs that were previously manufactured by AXT. AXT, which is now concentrating on its GaAs, InP and germanium substrates products, has dropped all of its counterclaims.
The technology in question, covered by US patent number 5 686 738 entitled “Highly insulating monocrystalline GaN thin films,” relates to GaN-based buffer layers used to make LEDs on sapphire and other substrates.
Boston University’s Theodore Moustakas developed the technology, which was subsequently licenced to Cree exclusively.
Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.