Aug 25 2006
Eastman Kodak Company has announced a licensing agreement with Tohoku Device Co., Ltd. Tohoku Device plans to incorporate Kodak’s organic display technology into white OLED modules for use as backlights in displays. Tohoku Device joins more than 15 companies that have licensed organic display technology from Kodak.
“This is a great agreement for Kodak. The agreement between Kodak and Tohoku Device validates the superiority of Kodak display technology for a variety of applications,” “This agreement between Kodak and Tohoku Device validates the utility of Kodak display technology for a variety of applications, and we’re delighted that Tohoku Device has chosen Kodak as a provider,” said Andrew Sculley, general manager, OLED Systems and vice president, Kodak Display Business “This license enables Tohoku Device to provide high-quality, reliable products to their customers and will help accelerate the commercialization of white emitting OLED technology.”. “We are delighted that Tohoku Device has chosen Kodak as a major provider of this innovative technology.”
OLED backlights – including white emitting OLEDs used as backlights -- comprise thin films of organic materials that emit light when stimulated with an electrical charge. They offer thinner designs, better uniformity and lower cost relative to conventional backlights used in LCD displays. These benefits provide direct advantages for a variety of applications such as digital cameras, portable media players, mobile phones, PDAs and other devices.
The royalty-bearing license enables Tohoku Device to use Kodak technology for OLED backlights in a variety of flat panel display applications and includes a cross license to Tohoku Device’s patent portfolio. The agreement also gives Tohoku Device the opportunity to purchase Kodak’s patented OLED materials for use in manufacturing displays. Financial details were not disclosed.
Pioneered by Kodak in the late 1980s, OLED technology and its practical applications have generated more than 1,700 issued and pending Kodak patents worldwide. In addition to Tohoku Device, Kodak OLED licensees number more than 15, several of whom have announced mass production plans and customer design wins.
http://www.kodak.com/go/display.