The latter approach has prevailed (see Philips introduces licensing program for LED-based luminaires) although of course there is a price to be paid, specifically as much as 5% of the net selling price for color-changing luminaires, 4% for tunable white luminaires and 3% for single color luminaires.
When you download the complete list of patents included in the licensing program, the portfolio extends far beyond those patents acquired along with Color Kinetics. However, it's these patents that will attract most interest when companies evaulate the Philips offer.
For the uninitiated, here's the summary; Color Kinetics acquired a number of fundamental patents in the US relating to LED control. These patents were controversial, with detractors asserting that some of the patents' claims should not have been allowed because they described prior art (i.e. technology well known in the industry).
However, despite various challenges, the patents are still very much valid, and are now owned by Philips. The controversory has not been resolved, and this announcement from Philips may push it to the fore again. Not many companies would seek to challenge Philips - the company even has its own Intellectual Property & Standards website. However, there is at least one ongoing dispute that relates specifically to the CK patents. This involves Lighting Science Group, which acquired LED Effects, a company that was making LED fixtures before Color Kinetics was founded.
Tell us what you think about the Philips licensing program:
- Should we applaud Philips for its open door licensing policy?
- Do the Color Kinetics patents still cast a shadow over the industry?
