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AU Optronics (AUO), manufacturer of TFT-LCD panels, announced
the signing of a patent assignment agreement with International Business Machines
Corp (IBM). This transaction will allow AUO to own hundreds of TFT-LCD related
patents developed by IBM, some technologies of which are widely adopted
in the industry.
With this agreement, approximately 170 IBM United States
patents relating to TFT-LCD technology, together with the counterpart patents in
Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and other countries, will be transferred to AUO. The
patents cover almost all aspects of key TFT-LCD-related technology, including TFT
Array process (TFT structure production), Cell process, such as One Drop Fill
Technology, RBG Color Filter, Backlight and TFT driving circuit, among others.
Dr Fan Luo, AUO 's Chief Technology Officer, stated that
IBM, as a pioneer in the TFT-LCD industry, commenced research and development in
the TFT-LCD technology since the 1980s, of which originated some fundamental key
technologies. After IBM exited from TFT-LCD manufacturing in 2001, it still
maintained the TFT-LCD related patents. Some of the patents transferred under
this transaction were developed by IBM's research lab in Japan as well as the
Yasu manufacturing site, some of which are believed to be widely used in the
industry.
 With the patents assigned, AUO will further strengthen its
intellectual property position on both the defensive and offensive aspects.
During the era of Acer Display Technology, AUO has already entered into a
technology transfer and license agreement with IBM since 1999, and built Taiwan's
first Generation 3.5 TFT-LCD fabrication facility. The successful partnership
paved the way for AUO 's growth in the following years and strengthened the
company'sTFT-LCD manufacturing process and development. In a few years
thereafter, AUO went on to establish Generation 4, Generation 5, and Generation 6
fabrication production facility – all first in Taiwan.
As Taiwan's largest and world's third largest TFT-LCD
manufacturer, AU Optronics also leads in Taiwan in the area of intellectual
property.
DQC NEWS BUREAU
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