The royalty-bearing license will apply to sales of applicable High End Systems products in all markets covered by Color Kinetics' patent portfolio. As part of the agreement, Color Kinetics will receive a royalty-free license to specific High End patents.
that reflects a continuing surge in the use of LED sources for stage and event lighting. The initial offering will uniquely combine conventional sources with LEDs for accent purposes.
High End Systems is credited for innovating some of the entertainment industry's most widely used lighting and control systems in its 35-year history - including various options for generating color and effects using traditional light sources. The agreement will open the way for High End to utilize the advantages of LEDs.
"High End is best known for our focus on innovation and use of cutting-edge technologies that can advance our industry as a whole. We believe that LEDs are one such technology, whose impact has only just begun to emerge," said Richard Belliveau, who co-founded High End Systems and is a prolific inventor with many market-changing products, patents and awards to his credit.
"As innovators ourselves, we respectfully acknowledge the patented inventions of others, and no company has contributed more to the research, development and commercialization of intelligent LED lighting than Color Kinetics. We view access to their IP as a critical component of our LED-related product development strategy, and look forward to exploiting the far-reaching potential of LED technology for our customers."
Belliveau is lead inventor on US patent no. 4,962,687 which was acquired from High End Systems by Super Vision. The patent was used by Super Vision in its ill-fated patent dispute with Color Kinetics.
Bill Sims, President and CEO, Color Kinetics, said "The entertainment industry was among the first to embrace intelligent LED lighting, and the number and caliber of partners we've secured in this space suggest that adoption is still on the rise. We look forward to enabling more market entrants as customers continue to experience and demand the clear-cut advantages of intelligently controlled LED sources."
Unlike conventional sources, LED lighting products require no gels, filters or mechanical scrollers to generate color and dynamic effects. They're also well suited for creating flexible, modular displays for low-resolution video effects that are commonly applied as stage backdrops or dynamic set pieces.
In addition to their aesthetic versatility, LED lighting products can offer many cost advantages over conventional lighting equipment. Their long source life and rugged physical nature translate to minimal replacement, and their low power draw allows for easy installation without complex electrical requirements. They emit little heat, and can be used in tight spaces or within set elements, near performers, and in other areas where conventional light sources are impractical.
