As the LED industry embraces the lighting era, LED manufacturers are entering a new patent strategy competition. Major Japanese LED manufacturer Nichia has always been aggressive in deploying patent strategies and lawsuits. Since the company’s core YAG phosphor patent term will expire in 2017, the company has been deploying patent strategies in new materials, especially in Mn 4+ red phosphor powder to maintain a stronghold in LED patents.

The LED lighting era will give manufacturers, excluded from global patent network, a new opportunity to reenter competition. LED manufacturers have been actively investing in patent strategy deployments. Nichia, a strong player in original patents, has been investing in the R&D of new materials and patent applications as its YAG patent expires in 2017. Besides holding important patents for EMC products, which took the industry by storm in 2013, the company is also targeting Mn 4+ red phosphor patent. 

Mn 4+ red phosphor was previously applied in CCFL tubes, but has the flaws of being sensitive to heat, humidity and light. Improvements were made in the phosphor to increase brightness, and achieve better color chromaticity under three wavelengths through LED manufacturing. Outstanding performance in color chromaticity has also urged the industry to invest in the phosphor’s R&D. GE was the first company to acquire Mn 4+ red phosphor patent, and later authorized the patent to Nichia and Sharp.

Nichia and Sharp have been most active in Mn 4+ red phosphor patent R&D and patent applications, especially the former company, according to industry insiders. Not only has Nichia made physical improvements to Mn 4+ red phosphor, the company has also adjusted chemical structure and applied for patents. As LED package components coated with the phosphor are introduced into backlight applications, it is expected manufacturers will increase their activities in R&D and introduction of the phosphor material. Therefore, the industry is also closely monitoring Nichia’s Mn 4+ red phosphor R&D and patent developments.