'No Wire' LED Patent Protection Recognized... 16 Consecutive Wins in Patent Lawsuits
CEO Lee Jeonghun Criticizes Large Corporations for Ignoring Patent Infringement, Hindering Innovation
Seoul Semiconductor has secured patent protection for its No Wire LED technology in Europe. Taiwanese company Everlight filed a lawsuit claiming the patent was invalid, but Seoul Semiconductor won the case.
On the 25th, Seoul Semiconductor announced, "The European Patent Office's Board of Appeal dismissed the patent invalidation lawsuit filed by Everlight, the world's sixth-largest LED company, which had been accused of copying the No Wire technology, WICOP (WICOP) patent technology, at the end of last month, ruling in favor of Seoul Semiconductor. The company will maintain the patent for this technology in 18 European countries."
The No Wire technology is mainly used in displays, automotive headlamps, and brake lamps. Seoul Semiconductor started winning cases in the UK in 2018 and has won all 16 patent lawsuits in five countries. This lawsuit once again proved its technological superiority.
LED technology gained attention with the development of blue and white LEDs by Dr. Shuji Nakamura, but some companies focused only on price and performance, causing side effects on users' health. In response, Seoul Semiconductor has invested about $100 million (approximately 130 billion KRW), which is 10% of its annual sales, in research and development for over 20 years. It developed technologies such as 'SunLike,' which closely resembles natural light, and WICOP technology.
Lee Jung-hoon, CEO of Seoul Semiconductor, criticized companies that infringe patents and large corporations that overlook such infringements for hindering innovation by small and medium-sized enterprises. He said, "Even after patent infringement rulings, cunning companies change only product numbers and continue selling, and giant corporations knowingly use infringing products to save a few cents, which discourages young entrepreneurs and innovative companies."
CEO Lee emphasizes fairness in society, often stating, "Birth may be unfair, but opportunities must be fair for young people and companies to have hope." Born as the son of a farmer, he mortgaged his home to rent a corner on the top floor of a commercial building to focus on research and development, growing Seoul Semiconductor into a global company holding over 18,000 patents.
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