Patent suits left an indelible mark in the LED industry in 2016, Seoul Semiconductor took the lead this week warning 29 companies over potential patent infringement issues. Nichia also announced it had won two legal YAG patent suits against Everlight in Dusseldorf District Court in Germany and the local appeal court. Cree also has settled a long pending patent infringement case with Feit Electric for an undisclosed amount, and the two companies have signed a patent license agreement.

Apple’s next generation iPhone 8 is increasingly likely to sport a Samsung OLED panel, but a Bloomberg report raised the question of if OLED equipment manufacturer Canon Tokki has a growing backlog, it might still be difficult to deliver the panels.

Some LED manufacturers seem to be moving away from the overcompetitive backlight and lighting market, Chinese manufacturer Kingsun Opto announced it will be investing more in education, unveiling plans of taking over international education institute NIT Group.

Editor recommendations

1. Seoul Semiconductor Warns 29 Companies over Patent Infringement
2. EVERLIGHT IR Optical Sensor Zeros in Smart Application Market
3. Massachusetts Announces US $11.4 M for Municipal LED Streetlight Conversion
4. Kingsun Optoelectronic to Acquire Multinational Education Enterprise NIT Group
5. Veeco Signs Multi-Year Agreement with Osram Opto to Supply MOCVDs to New Malaysia Facility
6. Taiwanese LED Sapphire Manufacturers Struggle from Oversupply Issues
7. Apple iPhone 8 to Sport Curved Samsung OLED Display
8. Cree Settles Patent Dispute with Feit Electric, Signs License Agreement
9. Nichia Clinches Two Legal Victories against Everlight in German District Courts
10. Morgan Stanley Warns of China’s Smartphone Market Oversupply Situation in 2017

What’s trending

• Tyndall University Researchers Light the Way for Quantum Computing
• The Logic behind Four Mainstream CSP LED Application Trends

Government projects

• UCF Latest IR Detector Research Receives US $1.3M DARPA Grant

Industry news

1. MLS Scales up Investments in Aucksun Opto to Strengthen LED Chip Supply
2. Seoul Semiconductor Appoints New CEO for Europe Operations
3. Japan Display Not Out of the Woods yet Despite New OLED Financing
4. Canon Tokki OLED Equipment Production Shortages Might Not Be Able to Match iPhone 8 Demands
5. China Development Bank Signs Strategic LED Business Financing Partnership Deal with San’an Opto
6. GE Acquires Concept Laser to Propel 3D Printing Technologies
7. Schréder Forms Partnership with Smart City Institute
8. Taiwan LED Industry Production Value up 15% in 2016
9. Innolux Refutes Claims of Foxconn Group Reducing LCD Panel Supplies to Competitors
10. ETI Projects Losses Incurred from Operations near RMB 100M in 4Q16
11. Dinos Café Receives Rebates from LED Lighting Installations
12. Scripps Networks Interactive Study Finds Safety and Comfort Drive Smart Home Technology Purchases

New products

1. Comcast Simplifies Consumer Lighting Preferences with Voice Commands
2. GlacialTech Offers Universal Thermal Solutions for Customers
3. Philips Lighting Brightens Hospital Patient Rooms with Next Generation Human-Centric Lighting
4. Soraa’s MR-16 LED Lamp First to Receive California’s JA8-2016-E Certification
5. High End Systems Unveils TM-30/CRI Correction Filter for LED Automotive Lights
6. Meyda Introduces Custom Designed Moose Lighting Pendant
7. Meller Optics Manufactures Sapphire Lens for Drones
8. J.W. Speaker Debuts Dynamically Adaptive Motorcycle Headlight for Victory Motorcycles
9. LG New LED Tube and Driver Fixtures Meet U.S. DOE External Power Supply Standards

Lighting projects

1. UN Studio Brightens up Amsterdam Light Festival with Eye Beacon Pavilion LED Installations
2. Alstroemerias Flower Blossoms with Philips LED Lights
3. Widest Motoway in the World in Netherlands to Shine Under New LED Lights
4. Lech am Arlberg in Austria Lit up With Dazzling LED Lights
5. German First Top League Soccer Stadium VfL Wolfsburg Trades in Traditional Luminaires for LED Pitch Lights
6. RVLT Completes LED Retrofit Projects for Religious Organizations
7. Moncler Flagship Store in New York Illuminated in Golden Glowing Lights
8. Biomedical Sidney Research Campus Relit with Artistic Lighting
9. Factory Pipe in California Slashes Energy Costs with Efficient Solar and LED Installations from GE Current