Display - CMO, Hitachi Cross-License Over One Thousand LCD Patents
June 17, 2005
After four years of negotiation, CMO (Chi Mei Optoelectronics) announced the inking of a patent cross-licensing contract with Hitachi in mid-June 2005. According to the agreement, the two pledge not to prosecute each other for patent-infringement before 2010. The contract involves the sharing of over a thousand patents, including all sorts of LCD-related technologies, such as TFT structure, driver IC design, LCD driver circuit, and backlight module design, yet does not cover the in-plane switching technology. This deal allows CMO and Hitachi the freedom to legally apply these patents to monitors, notebook PCs, LCD panels for mobile phones and automotive devices, as well as LCD TVs. CMO is still obligated to pay royalties for the authorization, although at a much lower rate than if purchasing the patents individually. Hannstar, Chunghwa Picture Tubes, and AUO have all previously signed patent licensing agreements with Hitachi.