Sharp, AUO settle patent suits

Sharp and AUO said they have reached an agreement to mutually utilize their respective patents for LCD panels and LCD modules on the basis of mutual respect for each other's intellectual property rights.

They said the agreement will also allow each company to innovate using the other company's LCD-related patents for the further advancement of TFT-LCD technologies.

Last January, Sharp filed two complaints against AUO with the International Trade Commission and US District Court for Delaware for alleged infringement of its seven US patents.

The Japanese electronics maker sought an order to prohibit imports and sales in the United States of LCD panels and LCD modules which are used as television and computer monitor screens.

Meanwhile, the Taiwan LCD panel maker countered with its own patent infringement lawsuit in March against Sharp.