AUO, Sharp expand TFT LCD licensing agreement

Panel maker AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) and Japan-based electronics maker Sharp Corp. will expand their cross-licensing agreements on patents involving TFT LCDs, following Sharp's resolution of its lawsuit with Teco Electric & Machinery Co. Ltd.

In June 2004, Sharp filed a lawsuit against Teco Electric for alleged patent infringement regarding AUO's 20-inch panels. Since July of last year, AUO has been cross-licensing Sharp's TFT LCDs and PC-use LCDs, although LCD TV patents are not included in the agreement.

AUO has been consolidating its patent distribution, having recently inked a cross-licensing agreement with South Korea-based Samsung Electronic Co. Ltd, which involves TFT LCDs and OLED displays used in LCD TVs.