Japan's Sharp Corp and Osram GmbH of Munich, Germany have entered into a patent cross-licensing agreement covering light-emitting diodes and laser diodes.
The agreement grants each party the right to use inventions related to LEDs and laser diodes covered by the patents owned by the respective companies around the world. Both firms expect that this will spur their R&D and contribute to further advances in LEDs, laser diodes, and related industries.
Sharp began the mass production LEDs in 1970, followed by the world's first production of infrared laser diodes for CDs in 1982. Sharp says that, with these LED and laser diode technologies built up over the years, it has recently unveiled numerous unique devices, including a high-efficiency, high-brightness 100W-class LED for lighting and a red laser diode that can be used as a light source for displays.
Under the new agreement, the companies' mutual licensing of patents will allow each party to complement its respective technologies. Sharp and Osram believe this will accelerate development of high-performance LEDs and laser diodes and have a positive effect on the creation of devices that match the needs of worldwide markets.
