Tokushima, Japan and Regensburg, Germany – Two leading companies in the field of LED and laser technologies, Nichia Corporation and ams-OSRAM AG, have signed a comprehensive cross-license agreement covering thousands of patent-protected innovations. The agreement was signed by Nichia Corporation’s President, Hiroyoshi Ogawa, and ams-OSRAM AG’s CEO, Aldo Kamper, on Thursday, October 16, 2025.
The agreement grants both companies mutual access to each other’s patents for nitride LED and laser components. For the first time, it also covers sophisticated LED packages and modules, including matrix headlamps. This move aims to strengthen the industry-leading IP protection that both companies offer to their customers.
Nichia Corporation and ams-OSRAM AG have a long-standing collaboration and have invested heavily in research and development for decades. This new patent cross-license agreement will provide customers with enhanced IP safety when using products based on the companies’ patented technologies. The two companies have a history of cross-license agreements, which began in 2002 and have been updated in 2010. This new agreement covers the R&D results from the past 15 years.
Aldo Kamper, CEO of ams-OSRAM AG, emphasizes the importance of intellectual property in an industry driven by innovation. He encourages customers to carefully scrutinize claims of IP compliance and to choose partners with a unique IP position, like ams-OSRAM AG and Nichia Corporation.
Hiroyoshi Ogawa, President of Nichia Corporation, believes that as the two global leaders in the LED and laser industry, the two companies have renewed the most comprehensive and robust cross-licensing agreement in the sector. Customers who choose products from Nichia Corporation or ams-OSRAM AG can be confident in their business activities due to the extensive patent protection provided by the two companies. Ogawa also states that by standing together, they will continue to safeguard the market’s integrity by promoting respect for intellectual property in the industry.
Founded in 1956, Nichia Corporation’s motto is “Ever Researching for a Brighter World.” The company is proud to be the technology leader and the world’s largest LED and laser diode manufacturer. They started as a specialty chemical producer and quickly became the leader in luminescent materials. In 1993, Nichia Corporation developed and commercialized the first high-brightness blue LED, followed by the first white LED in 1996. They have also developed nitride-based LEDs in various colors, including ultraviolet and visible laser diodes. The company believes that its products will remain at the forefront of energy-efficient solutions worldwide for many years to come.
The ams-OSRAM Group (SIX: AMS) is a global leader in innovative light and sensor solutions. With over 110 years of industry experience, the company combines engineering excellence and global manufacturing with a passion for cutting-edge innovation. Their commitment to pushing the boundaries of illumination, visualization, and sensing enables transformative advancements in the automotive, industrial, medical, and consumer industries. Their success is based on a deep understanding of the potential of light and a distinct portfolio of emitter and sensor technologies. With approximately 19,700 employees worldwide, the company focuses on pioneering innovations in line with societal megatrends such as digitalization, smart living, and sustainability. They have been granted and applied for over 13,000 patents and achieved EUR 3.4 billion in revenues in 2024. The company is listed as ams-OSRAM AG on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ISIN: AT0000A3EPA4) and has co-headquarters in Munich, Germany, and Premstaetten/Graz, Austria.
For further information, please contact:
Public Relations, Nichia Corporation
Tel:+81-884-22-2311
Fax:+81-884-23-7717