Patent Dispute May Compromise Canon, Toshiba's SED TV Venture
January 05, 2007
Canon and Toshiba is reported to be reconsidering the feasibility of their joint SED (Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Display) production plan, which may eventually be revised or scrapped due to a patent dispute with US Nano-Propriety. The US firm has claimed that its technology licensing agreement with Canon does not extend to cover SED, Canon's joint venture with Toshiba. The two Japanese companies' plan to construct a 180-billion-Yen (US$1.5 billion; US$1 = 119.1 Yen) SED plant on Toshiba's premises in Taishi, Hyogo Prefecture, is therefore challenged.