| At the end of 2006, Japanese LED maker filed a lawsuit claiming that certain white LED-based products marketed by Argos, a UK retailer infringed Nichia's European patents (see Nichia sues Argos). The products supplied to Argos by third-party Asian manufacturers.
Nichia claimed that the products infringe its European Patents (UK) EP 0952 617, EP 0622 858 and EP 0936 682, and as part of the lawsuit, Nichia sought damages and an injunction against further infringement.
The parties have been able to amicably resolve their differences. As part of the resolution, though without any admissions, Argos and Homebase, another UK retail chain, have made a payment to Nichia and have agreed to enter into a business arrangement.
Nichia's statement says that the company "gives serious consideration to the protection of its intellectual property and will vigorously enforce its intellectual property rights in any country. Having conducted enforcement actions in Asia, Japan and US, it is now enforcing its rights in Europe. " |
