LED lamps (lightbulbs) are proving to be a disruptive catalyst creating a very different dynamic in the long established lamp distribution channel. While the transition to LED technology in the light fixtures for new construction and/or building renovation is being smoothly managed by the established eco-system of independent specification agents and established electrical distributors, the impact on the existing sales and distribution channels and their respective supporting processes is being felt.

NASA at the Kennedy Space Center has entered into a partnership with Light Visually Transceiving (LVX) System Corp. to collaborate in developing a potentially ground-breaking technology in electronic communications. Similar to high-speed communication known as Wi-Fi, visible light communication, or VLC, is a wireless method using light-emitting diodes referred to as Li-Fi.

AFC Bournemouth has chosen Musco Lighting as its partner to install new floodlights using an LED light source at Vitality Stadium for its debut season in the Barclays Premier League.AFC Bournemouth recently earned a promotion to the top flight for the first time in the club’s history and wanted to ensure a premiere entertainment experience at Vitality Stadium for its supporters.

The DesignLights Consortium™ program and trademarks are assets to the DLC, its members and stakeholders. The July 2015 issue of the DLC Industry Update states the following: "It has come to our attention that 49 manufacturers have misrepresented the nature of their products to the DLC during the application process and were able to obtain DLC qualification for products that employ screw bases. Under current requirements, the DLC specifically excludes products that employ screw bases from qualification.

Bikers wearing Lumos Helmets can turn on the road without having to memorize hand signs, and avoid potentially being hit by confused motorists.

A small Chinese LED manufacturer Zhongshan Sover Lighting Company (Sover) patent infringement plaintiff filed against four leading industry players in China has been compared to as the battle between an ant and the elephant, according to Chinese-language media www.jiajui.com.

Taiwanese copper and electronic cable manufacturer Walsin Lihwa (Walsin) board has decided to sell its LED subsidiary Xian Walsin Technology in China’s assets for RMB 166 million (US $26.72 million) to Shangxi Electronic Information  Group, marking Walsin’s exit from the LED industry, according to a report from China Times.

Cleveland, the most populous city in Ohio, U.S. will be rolling out a major streetlight upgrade, according to a report by Associated Press (AP).

New research sheds light on how local authorities can safely save energy costs and reduce carbon emissions.

The Indian governments promotion of “Made in India” LED bulbs, and the introduction of mandatory registration of electronic products in August 2015 will spur LED bulb sales, said Philips Lighting Solutions South Asia, CEO, Harsh Chitale.

HexaTech Inc. announced today that it has received a continuation of funding under the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E) development program. The cost-share extension is valued at $1.2 million over 1 year, and follows $2.8 million over 2 years when the contract was initiated in 2012.

Growing vegetables in greenhouses extends crop production seasons in northern latitudes, but the greenhouse environment is far from ideal for providing plants with optimal photosynthetic light. In fact, available photosynthetic daily light in greenhouses can be reduced by up to 50% or more by the structures' glazing material, superstructure, and shading. In northern latitudes, low light is considered the most limiting environmental factor in greenhouse vegetable production.

Audi is presenting its next step in automotive lighting technology at the IAA in Frankfurt. The new Matrix OLED lights enable a previously unattainable level of lighting homogeneity, opening up further creative opportunities for design.

On July 20th, Jiangxi Outrace Technology Co., Ltd (Outrace) announced that, thanks to its completely automated production lines, the company can now produce one finished product every 3 seconds. Daily output of LED bulbs alone has been ramped up to around 450,000 units, while most of the peers are maxing out at around 200,000 units, evidencing that Outrace has brought capacity up to double that of other LED bulb manufactures.

Moderate economic growth in 2015 has become the “new norm” for the stabilizing Chinese economy. With the Chinese government introducing industry restructures, explosive economic growth has become history. Gone are the good days for businesses, lighting manufacturers orders have plummeted, but costs are rising. The impact from e-commerce has misled some manufacturers, and the market has briefly become a “besieged fortress.” Some manufacturers are hanging on, while others are seeking alternative options to leave the industry, or quietly withdraw from the market, according to Guzhen Lighting Weekly.

One year ago, Seoul Semiconductor filed a patent infringement lawsuit in U.S. Federal District Court asserting that Craig’s sales of LED backlighting unit products infringed five of Seoul’s patents. On July 23, 2015, the court finally issued the judgment in favor of Seoul Semiconductor stating that Craig acknowledged infringement of all the asserted patents and their validity.

Adjusted EBITA margin increases to 9.5%in the third quarter Revenue up 12%; almost stable on a comparable basis Carve-out of lamps business planned to be completed by spring 2016

Different types of smart LED lighting solutions have taken the spotlight at lighting exhibitions these years. There has been a heated discussion about whether smart lighting’s entry in the market. Bestselling smart lighting products in China are not necessarily those with the best quality, and are often average quality. The fact that they are manufactured in China also doesn’t excite consumers.

A research team from Beijing Tsing Hua University has made a groundbreaking graphene LED that is capable of color tuning to most colors under the visible spectrum, according to a Phys.org report.

Lighting Science Group (LSG), a global leader in superior lighting solutions that are environmentally-responsible and energy-efficient, has been chosen as a founding partner in the $200 million plan that will make Pakistan's largest urban area the country’s first “Smart City".

Net profits improved for Dutch lighting giant Philips, mostly due to strong sales growth in its Healthcare and strong margin improvements in Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting businesses. However, performance in emerging markets including China, Russia and Latin America had declined.

Cree LED bulbs for residential lighting receives Focus on Energy rebates for the first time in Wisconsin State, U.S, according to a report by The Journal Times.

A display expert believes micro-LED displays, such as those made by Apple’s newly acquired low-power display maker LuxVue could become a game changer in the display market, according to a report by Apple Insider.

LED package manufacturer Everlight and Japan’s largest LED manufacturer Nichia initiated patent wars in Japan, Taiwan, Germany, U.S. and other countries for the past decade, reported Chinese-language magazine Money Weekly. Nichia is one of the top five global LED manufacturers, and spending largely on patent lawsuits against Everlight.  The reason behind these tactics is patents are the only arsenal left for LED Japanese manufacturers that are falling behind Taiwanese and Chinese counterparts production expansion.

French technology media nowhereelse.com latest leaked photos of the iPhone 6S suggest the design will be similar to existing iPhone 6.

A further new white LED patent which covers, among others, YAG phosphors has been granted by the European Patent Office in favor of Nichia Corporation ("Nichia"), namely EP 2 276 080.

Chinese LED manufacturer Leyard intends to expand its business in the Indian market by investing in Indian LED manufacturer MIC Electronics, according to a report from Indian newspaper The Economic Times.

The growing influence of the Industrial Internet (which connects the physical and digital worlds) is leading to designs that combine LED with wireless sensors and data-transmitting technology. When used in a ‘smart city’ environment, this kind of infrastructure is capable of far more than just lighting, providing real safety benefits for citizens. Examples of successful use of LED for safety purposes have been already implemented in cities such as Bauru in Brazil and La Garrotxa in Spain.

Columbia University’s ultraviolet (UV) light technology has been licensed to USHIO Inc., a Tokyo-based developer, manufacturer, and marketer of light sources and instruments.

This week Bridgelux announced it has sealed a deal to be acquired by CEC, but did not disclose CEC’s offer. LEDinside team believes Epistar would benefit from this recent acquisition, with LED orders being kept within affiliated Epistar companies. Bridgelux CEO also spoke to LEDinside about the impact from the recent acquisition.