Everlight Electronics announces Nichia's white LED patents have been found invalid

Shulin, New Taipei City – In April 2012, Everlight filed for declaratory judgment of invalidity and non-infringement of Nichia’s U.S. patents related to white LEDs, including U.S. Patent Nos. 5998925 and 7531960. These two patents are directed to YAG phosphor being used with blue LED chip to emit white light, and its phosphor concentration. The jury before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan found on April 22, 2015 that all asserted claims of these patents are invalid for obviousness and/or lack of enablement. In March 2012, Everlight also filed for invalidation trial against Nichia’s corresponding white LED patent in Germany (German Patent No. DE69702929 (EP0936682)). The German Patent Court in September 2014 also declared all the claims of the patent invalid and Nichia has to bear the litigation fee. Everlight will continue to devote in research and development in new products, materials and manufacturing process and to strengthen its intellectual property portfolio and products. EVERLIGHT respects intellectual property and will continue to defend the rights and benefits of its customers and shareholders.