Seoul Semiconductor and Kmart dismiss patent clash
South Korean LED producer Seoul Semiconductor has settled its patent infringement dispute with US retailer Kmart.
In September last year, Seoul Semiconductor sued the retailer for allegedly infringing its patented technologies by selling illegally manufactured products.
The claim was brought at the US District Court for the Central District of California.
According to the claim, Seoul Semiconductor brought the claim to protect its “valuable patented technology” relating to LEDs and LED lighting.
The semiconductor company had accused Kmart of infringement because the retailer had sold branded LED lighting bulbs in its stores.
Kmart allegedly infringed eight of Seoul Semiconductor’s patents, which relate to essential structures of filament LED products.
On Monday, June 5, US District Judge James Otero signed an order for dismissal.
Each party will bear its own attorneys’ fees and costs.
As part of the settlement, Kmart agreed to stop selling the branded filament LED bulbs, according to a press release from Seoul Semiconductor.
Nam Ki-bum, executive vice president of the research centre at Seoul Semiconductor, said: “We believe various LED lighting products currently on the market infringe Seoul’s patents.
“Now that we have resolved one litigation in this area, we will devote more resources to actively protecting our valuable IP rights relating to LED products.”
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