Seoul Semiconductor Inks License Agreement With Inventor

LED manufacturer Seoul Semiconductor Co. Ltd. of Seoul, Korea, announced it signed a license agreement with Gertrude Neumark Rothchild, a retired Columbia University professor, earlier this month. Rothchild filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission (US ITC) Feb. 19 against 34 major electronics companies, including Seoul Semiconductor, alleging that they violated her 1993 patent that covers a method of producing wide-bandgap semiconductors for LEDs and laser diodes in the blue/ultraviolet bands of the spectrum. Such LEDs and laser diodes are gaining popularity as lighting sources in devices because they are more energy efficient, reliable, last longer and have a greater storage capacity (See: Block Sought on Imports). Seoul Semiconductor said the license agreement will allow unrestricted sales of its LED products in the US market; the company's LEDs are used in applications including general lighting, signage, backlighting for cell phones, TVs, notebook computers, automotive lighting, and home appliances.