TFT-LCD giants to collect hundreds of millions of dollars to engross ITRI’s LCD-related patents
E020205X1 Mar. 2002（E31）
In recent years Korea- and Japan-based TFT-LCD giants have been aggressively attacking Taiwanese manufacturers with patent infringement suits. Sharp even filed a suit against Chunghwa Picture Tubes, Ltd. in Japan, alleging its TFT-LCD patent is infringed. Sharp even sent its personnel to Taiwan for business negotiations. TFT-LCD infringement will surely become a major hindrance for domestic TFT-LCD industry’s future development.
Given the above-said circumstance, seven major TFT-LCD manufacturers in Taiwan plan to engross all of Industrial Technology Research Institute’s patented technologies related to TFT-LCD through Taiwan TFT LCD Association (TTLA), so as to prevent Korean and Japanese manufacturers from filing infringement litigation against us now and then.
According to Mr. Chen Hsuan-ping, Direct General of TTLA, the said plan, namely to monopolize patent rights, is still under discussion currently and has not been finalized. It is estimated that this plan will become more explicit at the end of this year the soonest. Through affiliation with R&D institutes, our TFT-LCD manufacturers will have more bargaining power during the negotiating process by means of patent cross license. Only by this way is it possible for our manufacturers to acquire a more advantageous position in the R&D of new technologies and dominating specifications.
Source: Economic Daily News 02/05/2002
