On 28 April, Seoul Semiconductor Europe GmbH of Munich, Germany (a subsidiary of South Korean LED maker Seoul Semiconductor Co Ltd) filed a patent infringement claim in Germany at the District Court of Düsseldorf against global electronic components distributor Mouser Electronic Inc, accusing it of selling LED products made by Taiwan-based Everlight Electronics Co Ltd.
Seoul asserts that Everlight’s mid-power LED products infringe its patent rights. Seoul has sought a permanent injunction, damages, and recall and destruction of the allegedly infringing products.
The asserted patent serves to improve the light extraction performance of LED devices by enhancing internal-reflection efficiency, which has been widely used in mid-power and high-power LEDs.
The patent litigation is the second patent infringement litigation by Seoul or its affiliate affecting Everlight’s LED products. In March, Seoul Semiconductor Co Ltd filed a patent infringement claim in Germany, accusing high-power LED products manufactured by Everlight as well as other LED makers. Seoul Semiconductor says that these patent litigations underscore its commitment to protecting its intellectual property rights against infringement, including products consisting of mid-power and high-power LEDs.
Everlight has been implicated in other patent infringement lawsuits, says Seoul Semiconductor. “Several LED companies have grown rapidly in a short period of time despite a lack of valuable patent portfolios,” comments Nam Ki-bum, vice president of the Research Center at Seoul Semiconductor. “Seoul, however, has been investing 10% of its revenue in research and development for many years to develop innovative technology and strengthen our patent portfolio,” he adds. “To support a fair market that respects intellectual property rights, Seoul will continuously monitor and take action against alleged infringers in any countries where infringement occurs.”
