For the fourth time in the past decade, Kent State University has faced the challenge of domestic and foreign complainants disputing the validity of its liquid crystal intellectual properties. And for the fourth time, Kent State University has emerged victorious.
This time, the European Patent Office (Munich, Germany) determined one of the basic liquid crystal patents held by Kent State University and licensed by Kent Displays was indeed valid.
The patent in question is key to Kent Displays' Reflex Technology, which enables displays that require no power to maintain an image, provide wide viewing angles and deliver incomparable viewing quality in bright sunlight.
The patented technology, invented by Dr. John West and Dr. Deng-Ke Yang of Kent State University, previously had been challenged in U.S. courts. This challenge also entangled Kent Displays and Kent State in legal proceedings in the U.S. District Court in Texas from 1996 until the patent was upheld in 2001. This ruling now confirms the validity of the corresponding European patent.
Dr. John West, vice president for research and dean of graduate studies at Kent State, says the wins confirm Kent State University's Liquid Crystal Institute leads the world in its discipline. "With much credit to our partner, Kent Displays, it is obvious our collaborative work sets the standard in the liquid crystal field. This decision also impacts the planned opening of our new Centennial Research Park, in which two of our initial tenants will be working on the commercialization of new products that apply our liquid crystal technologies," West says.
Dr. Albert Green, CEO of Kent Displays agrees, "It is gratifying to know we were able to once again convey the integrity of the patent as written, in front of the European Tribunal."