HTC Accused of White LED Patent Infringement by Nichia, Again

Nichia, the noted Japan-based LED firm, on 29th June filed a lawsuit with the Düsseldorf District Court in Germany against Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer HTC Corp. and e-commerce solution provider Digital River Ireland Ltd., accusing them of the infringement of its LED patent.

(Image: LUMITRONIX)

Nichia alleged that the white LED used in HTC’s flagship model- the HTC U Ultra- infringed a YAG related patent of Nichia EP 0936682 (DE 69702929). It aimed to seek damages and compensation from the phone maker.

The litigation also involved HTC’s affiliates- HTC Europe Co. Ltd. and HTC Germany GmbH- as well as Digital River Ireland Ltd.. The e-commerce services provider was sued for operating HTC’s European online store and providing online commerce solutions.

It was not the first time Nichia took legal actions against HTC. On 18th October 2016, HTC Corp.’s subsidiary HTC Nippon Corporation faced a lawsuit over the infringement of Nichia’s Japanese patents JP5177317 and JP5610056 as one HTC smartphone (product name: HTC Desire 626) featured accused white LED.

HTC has yet to respond to the accusation and whether it will affect the sales of the HTC U Ultra remained uncertain. On the other hand, Nichia claimed it is determined to protect its patents and other LED-related intellectual properties, and will take any action against alleged infringers whenever and wherever appropriate and necessary.


Disclaimers of Warranties
1. The website does not warrant the following:
1.1 The services from the website meets your requirement;
1.2 The accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the service;
1.3 The accuracy, reliability of conclusions drawn from using the service;
1.4 The accuracy, completeness, or timeliness, or security of any information that you download from the website
2. The services provided by the website is intended for your reference only. The website shall be not be responsible for investment decisions, damages, or other losses resulting from use of the website or the information contained therein<
Proprietary Rights
You may not reproduce, modify, create derivative works from, display, perform, publish, distribute, disseminate, broadcast or circulate to any third party, any materials contained on the services without the express prior written consent of the website or its legal owner.

Tokushima, Japan - 6 March 2024: Nichia, the world's largest LED manufacturer and inventor of the high-brightness blue and white LED, has started mass production of the new UV-B (308nm) and UV-A (330nm) LEDs in its popular 434 Series packa... READ MORE

New XLamp® S Line LEDs enhance growth, last longer, lower energy costs Horticulture and other forms of agricultural lighting require application-tuned ratios of spectral content, high efficacy and long lifetimes. Whether you are interested... READ MORE