Cree Files Lawsuit Against BridgeLux for Patent Infringement
Cree, Inc. Press ReleaseFlashlightNews.org - 09/18/2006
Alleges multiple infringements of existing Cree patents for LED manufacture processes
Cree, Inc.
DURHAM, N.C., - Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE), a leader in LED solid-state lighting components, today announced that it has filed suit against BridgeLux, Inc. (formerly eLite Optoelectronics) for infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 6,657,236 (“the ‘236 patent”) and 5,686,738 (“the ‘738 patent”). The suit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, seeks monetary damages and injunctive relief to prohibit BridgeLux from infringing these patents.
Cree’s ‘236 patent, entitled “Enhanced Light Extraction in LEDs through the Use of Internal and External Optical Elements,” relates to light extraction structures used in LEDs. The ‘738 patent, entitled “Highly Insulating Monocrystalline Gallium Nitride Thin Films,” relates to semiconductor devices manufactured using a gallium nitride-based buffer technology. The ‘738 patent is owned by the Trustees of Boston University and licensed to Cree on an exclusive basis. Boston University is a co-plaintiff in the suit. The ‘738 patent was also the subject of two prior suits brought by Cree and Boston University against Nichia Corporation and AXT, Inc., both of which resulted in settlements.
“Cree’s leadership in LED technology is the result of significant investment in R&D and our patent portfolio over the last nineteen years. The filing of this suit demonstrates Cree's willingness to protect our R&D investments and patent rights, especially at a time when some segments of the LED marketplace act as if there are no issues with intellectual property,” stated Cree chairman and CEO Charles Swoboda.
About Cree, Inc.
Cree is a market-leading innovator and manufacturer of semiconductors and devices that enhance the value of solid-state lighting, power and communications products by significantly increasing their energy performance and efficiency. Key to Cree’s market advantage is its world-class materials expertise in silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) for chips and packaged devices that can handle more power in a smaller space while producing less heat than other available technologies, materials and products
Cree drives its increased performance technology into multiple applications, including exciting alternatives in brighter and more-tunable light for general illumination, backlighting for more-vivid displays, optimized power management for high-current, switch-mode power supplies and variable-speed motors, and more-effective wireless infrastructure for data and voice communications. Cree customers range from innovative lighting-fixture makers to defense-related federal agencies.
Cree’s product families include blue and green LED chips, lighting LEDs, LED backlighting solutions, power-switching and radio-frequency/wireless devices. For additional product specifications, please refer to www.cree.com.
About Boston University
Boston University is the fourth-largest independent university in the United States, with more than 30,000 students and over 3,000 faculty in its 17 schools and colleges, and was one of the first universities to develop a focused venture capital and technology transfer program. Boston University’s Office of Technology Development, established in 1975, manages the technology transfer program at the University and assists faculty in identifying, protecting and commercializing the University's intellectual property. For additional information visit www.bu.edu/otd. The ‘738 patent was invented by Dr. Ted Moustakas, a professor in Boston University’s College of Engineering and one of the founding faculty of the University’s Photonics Center, which was established in 1994 to accelerate the translation of advances in electrical and optical engineering to the marketplace. For additional information, visit www.bu.edu/photonics.