Mitsubishi Sues in China Over Red Phosphors Patent

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) has filed a lawsuit in China, alleging that Yantai Shield Advanced Materials and US-based Intematix Corporation infringed a patent for red phosphor owned by MCC and National Institute for Materials Science.

The Japanese conglomerate is seeking an injunction on the production and sale of phosphors in China as well as asking for damages.

MCC's Chinese patent relates to a nitride-type red phosphor commonly known as CASN, SCASN, or 1113 phosphor, and LEDs, lighting devices and backlighting for products such as LCD panels in which such phosphor is used. CASN or SCASN is extensively used in LEDs due to its high brightness and reliability.

In Korea, the patent infringement litigation against Intematix, using the Korean counterpart to that patent, is still pending. In February 2013, a district ruled in MCC's favor and banned the import and sale of Intematix products in Korea.

"The current suit is to afford legal protection of the intellectual properties of MCC, a company that has aggressively invested in China and developed business there for many years. We believe the suit will contribute to orderly and healthy growth of the phosphor industry" MCC said in a statement.