Cree and Epistar signs a global LED patent cross-license agreement, a move that is considered by many in the industry to defend their market position and play on their technology strengths. Korean LED chip manufacturer Seoul Semiconductor appears to be expanding its UV LED product range through affiliate company Seoul Viosys. Seoul Viosys acquisition of U.S. UV LED manufacturer SETi has been approved by U.S. Department of Defense. According to a Korea Times report Seoul Viosys was in talks with DOD for three years before the acquisition proposal was approved. Some interesting applications this week, LEDs might be making their ways into biochem labs in the future. UC Berkley bioengineers have found a way to speed up replicating DNA with the aid of LED lights. In another turn of developments, Arizona State University researchers demonstrate the first white laser, which could potentially replace most LED applications in the future.

Chinese LED manufacturers Auckson Opto and Unilumen financial results in 2Q15 was polarize. Auckson net profits plummeted, in stark contrast Unilumen’s revenues nearly doubled, reported Chinese-language report Security Times.

Top Taiwanese LED manufacturers Everlight and Epistar revenues for second quarter of 2015 were impacted by trending low LED prices on the market, according to a China Times report.

U.S. LED manufacturer TCP International Holding (TCP) ex-CEO Ellis Yan has settled a lawsuit brought up by former lawyer Laura Hauser, for US $3.9 million, according to a Cleveland.com report.

Universal Display Corporation, enabling energy-efficient displays and lighting with its UniversalPHOLED® technology and materials,today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2015.

TOGGLED®, developer and producer of next-generation solid-state lighting technology, reported the addition of two companies, Dauer LED and Fusa Corp, to its rapidly growing roster of LED lighting product licensees.

Rubicon Technology (Rubicon), a leading provider of sapphire substrates and products to the LED, semiconductor, and optical industries, today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2015 and announced the signing of a resource sharing agreement with another sapphire polisher aimed at more rapidly reducing polishing costs.

Chinese LED enterprises are spending a fortune in acquiring foreign manufacturers in 2015. A couple of examples include Shenzhen Kaifa Technology (Kaifa) recent acquisition of U.S. LED manufacturer Bridgelux, Shanghai Felio Acoustics interest in Osram’s distribution channels, and Go Scale Capital’s acquisition of Philips Lumileds. Why has there been an increase in international mergers? What are manufacturers motives? Below is a summary of Chinese media Alighting’s prove into these issues.

Chinese LED manufacturer Honglitronic recently announced the company will release 300 million non-public offering shares to raise RMB 725 million (US $116 million). The purposes of this round of financing is mainly for the construction of SMD LED manufacturing facilities, acquiring 49% of Liangyou Hardware’s shares, and increasing bonds payable and circulating capital.

Aucksun’s financial statement for first half of 2015 revealed, the company’s revenue rose 9.73% from a year earlier in 2Q15 to RMB 732 million (US$ 126 million), with RMB 137 million net profit, translating into 31.27% Year-on-Year (YoY). Net profits rose71.17%YoY to RMB 152 million. The reported net income attributable to shareholders is RMB 132 million, reflecting a 92.93% growth compared to the same period last year.

Chinese LED manufacturer Mason Technologies intends to acquire OML Technology for RMB 30 million (US $4.8 million). According to Mason Technologies, about RMB 28.2 million will be used to increase capital, while RMB 27.1 million will be used as additional paid-in capital. At the same time, the company will undergoes transfer of share. Mason Technologies will be securing 22% of OML shares through the acquisition.

The U.S. Department of Energy has released a report on a GATEWAY demonstration, in which maintenance and energy costs were significantly reduced while retaining the quality of light when LED modules replaced 87 halogen lamps in existing wall washers at the University of Maryland's Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. The project began with mockups in the spring of 2014, with final installation completed in March 2015. The primary goals were to maintain the visual appearance of the space while reducing maintenance costs, with energy savings considered an additional benefit.

India will be replacing one billion lights nationwide with energy efficient LEDs within three years, The Economic Times quoted a top ranking Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) official saying.

GE has partnered with Beacon Lighting to expand the reach of its LED business in Australia and New Zealand.

The LED industry is gradually maturing in 2015, with products cost/performance (C/P) ratio becoming increasingly important. Low and mid-power flip chip products are increasingly valued by the industry. To further understand this trend LEDinside recently interviewed Lattice Power Chief Technology Officer Hanmin Zhao.

Cree and Epistar announced on Aug. 4, 2015, the two companies signed a global LED patent cross license agreement. The move signals large LED manufacturers strategy of maintaining market positions through patent advantages, said LEDinside analysts.

Orion Energy Systems, a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance, energy-efficient lighting platforms, today announced financial results for its fiscal 2016 first quarter ended June 30, 2015, highlighted by strong LED sales and solid gross margin expansion.

Multimedia and consumer electronic company Thomson, which left the Indian market in 2004, is returning to the market through its LED TV subsidiary, according to Indian media The Financial Express.

Cree and Epistar have signed a worldwide patent cross-license agreement for LED chips to further advance the growth of the LED lighting and LED bulb markets. Cree and Epistar both hold broad and substantial LED chip patent portfolios that are important for making blue LEDs, the foundation of white LEDs found in most lighting products manufactured worldwide. Under the terms of the agreement, each party receives a license to the other’s nitride LED chip patents and is granted certain rights to non-nitride LED chip patents. Over the term of the agreement, Cree will receive a licensing fee and royalty payments from Epistar.

Opple Lighting, which is in the process of applying IPOs in China, has seen its revenues reach RMB 3.9 billion (US $630 million) in 2014, according to a report by Chinese-language media The Time Weekly.

While lasers were invented in 1960 and are commonly used in many applications, one characteristic of the technology has proven unattainable. No one has been able to create a laser that beams white light.

New technology developed by UC Berkeley bioengineers promises to make a workhorse lab tool cheaper, more portable and many times faster by accelerating the heating and cooling of genetic samples with the switch of a light.

U.S. MOCVD equipment manufacturer Veeco latest financial results shows the company's revenues increased 38% compared to the same period last year. The company did not break down its earnings into particular market sectors or applications.

India’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is implementing energy efficient labels similar to U.S. ENERGY STAR labels, according to a report from The New Indian Express.

Seoul Semiconductor affiliate’s acquisition proposal of Sensor Electronic Technology (SETi) has been approved by the U.S. Department of Defense, according to a report by The Korea Times.

Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE has saved nearly US $1 million in energy costs, since rolling out its LED public lighting retrofit initiative, reportedUtilities-me.com.

Vivid Bike Lock is a wearable LED strip that lets bikers to be seen by other road occupants and also functions as lock that secure bicycle when needed.

This week Philips and Osram both announced their revenues for 2Q15. While both companies reported growth in the LED segment (Philips 21%, Osram , traditional lighting businesses have declined for both companies (Philips declined 16%, . Philips financial report also reflects a more pessimistic global economic outlook, with sales in China dropping. LED industry market trends are transforming from price wars to patent wars, according to Chinese media Money Weekly analyses. Among important industry acquistions, LED display manufacturer Ledman is spending EUR 25 million to acquire global leading sports media company Infront Sports and Media.

Chinese LED manufacturer Ledman announced it will be acquiring Infront Sports and Media for EUR 25 million (US $27.35 million) on Thursday.

Apple’s HomeKit development has been progressing at a sluggish pace, due to the company’s high security standards and specific identity chip requirements, reported MacRumors and other technology media reports.