Cree and OSRAM Sign Global LED Patent Cross-License Agreement

　　Cree (Nasdaq:CREE), a leader in the LED lighting market, and OSRAM (OsramGmbH) recently signed a global LED patent cross-license agreement.

　　This agreement covers patents from both parties in areas such as blue LED chip technology, white LEDs and phosphors, packaging, LED bulb luminaires, and LED lightingcontrol systems. It also includes patents held by OSRAM Opto Semiconductors, as well as patents granted to CreeLEDLighting, formerly LEDLightFixtures.

　　OSRAM stated that this agreement accelerates the dissemination of LED technology in various application areas, and will help companies develop, produce, and sell new products by reducing the risk of inadvertently infringing on other companies' patent rights. As a continuation of patent cross-license agreements signed with major LED manufacturers, in recent years the company has signed similar agreements with Nichia, Philips, and Toyota Gosei.

　　In addition, the agreement will help protect the patents of Osram and Cree's customers, avoiding potential patent disputes that could jeopardize some companies' LED products.

　　Currently, Cree has signed a similar cross-licensing agreement with Philips, and has reached existing patent agreements with Nichia and Toyoda Gosei regarding LED technology.