Universal Display, LG Display sign OLED patent license agreements

27 Jan 2015

Longtime partners agree 7-year deal to trade technology and patent info, allowing LG to make and sell OLED display products.

Agreed: seven-year deal to commercialize OLED display products.

Universal Display, which develops energy-efficient displays and lighting based on its UniversalPHOLED technology, and LG Display, a leading innovator of display technologies, have signed an OLED Technology License Agreement and Supplemental Material Purchase Agreement, which run through December 31, 2022.

This week’s announcement builds on a long-term relationship between the two companies. Under the license agreement, Universal Display has granted LG Display non-exclusive license rights under various patents owned or controlled by Universal Display to manufacture and sell OLED display products. LG Display has agreed to pay Universal Display license fees and running royalties on its sales of these licensed products. Additionally, Universal Display will supply phosphorescent materials to LG Display.

Steven Abramson, President and CEO of Universal Display, commented, "We are excited to enter into these agreements with our long-term partner LG Display, a global technology innovator who is leading the charge for OLED TVs, demonstrated by its recent CES (Consumer Electronics Show) showcase of new 4K models ranging of sizes 55in, 65in and 77in in flexible, curved and flat form factors."

"The growth of our relationship demonstrates the continued acceptance of our OLED technology and phosphorescent materials by the display industry for cutting-edge, high performance, energy-efficient commercial OLED displays. We look forward to the continued collaboration in support of LGD's advancements in expanding the thriving OLED product roadmap, including the advent of new form factors that redefine what a display can and will be."

Sang Deog Yeo, President and Head of OLED business unit of LG Display, added, "This is a win-win partnership for both companies. We expect this strategic alliance with Universal Display will bring synergies in accelerating the growth of OLED technology, and based on strengthened OLED business, LG Display is committed to deliver differentiated products to customers and the market."

OLEDs are emerging as a leading technology for displays and lighting.

Universal Display and Sumitomo Chemical OLED agreement

Only last week (January 21), Universal Display and Sumitomo Chemical signed an OLED Technology License Agreement, by which, UD granted SC non-exclusive license rights, under various patents, to manufacture and sell solution-processed organic light emitting diode (OLED) lighting products. That agreement will run for the life of Universal Display's relevant intellectual property rights.

Steven Abramson last week commented, "Our proprietary Universal PHOLED (phosphorescent OLED) technology offers up to four times the efficiency of conventional OLED technology, a critical component for high-performing, energy-efficient solid-state lighting. We are pleased to enter into this license agreement with Sumitomo Chemical, one of the early OLED developers, as we broaden into the growing SSL market."

Toshihisa Deguchi, director and MEO of Sumitomo Chemical, who also serves as the head of polymer OLED business planning, said, "Leveraging the licensed technology, we will increase the luminous efficacy of our polymer OLED lighting panels. Together, we will explore business opportunities in lighting applications that take our printed polymer OLED technology to the next generation lighting."

About the Author

Matthew Peach is a contributing editor to optics.org.