Dominant clarifies license position of white LEDs

Nov. 12, 2007
Dominant Semiconductor says that all its white LEDs use orthosilicate phosphors licensed under IP owned by Toyoda Gosei and partners.

Dominant Semiconductor of Malaysia has contacted LEDs Magazine to clarify the IP position of its white LEDs.

On November 1, we ran a story describing an appeals court verdict in favor of Osram GmbH in its patent dispute with Dominant relating to phosphors used in white LEDs – see Appeals court reverses outcome of Osram-Dominant dispute.

A Dominant spokesperson told LEDs Magazine "Beginning July 2005, Dominant has signed a license to use a non-YAG phosphor for all Dominant white LEDs. This phosphor is a totally different material compared to YAG phosphor and is protected by its own IP."

The IP includes US patent 6,809,347 B2, which is assigned to Leuchtstoffwerk Breitungen GmbH, Bitec GbR, Tridonic Optoelectronics GmbH and Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.

"Therefore," said the Dominant spokesperson, "all Dominant white LEDs, after 1st of July, are covered by this license agreement."