May 20, 2005 - Nichia Corporation announced today that it had filed a lawsuit in Tokyo District Court to enjoin E&E Japan Co., Ltd. [former EPISTAR JAPAN, and former EVERLIGHT JAPAN (website of E&E Japan Co., Ltd.)] from infringing Nichia?fs patent.

The patent (No. 3503139) is one of Nichia?fs patents concerning white LED technology, which enables white emission by combining semiconductor chip and certain garnet phosphor. In that system, the phosphor is excited by the emission of the chip, and emits down-converted light. Nichia holds patents for white LED technology in other countries as well as in Japan.

Nichia believes white LEDs distributed by E&E Japan infringe this Nichia?fs white LED patent, and seeks injunctive relief to enjoin the infringement activities.

Nichia will take necessary measure to protect its intellectual property rights against any infringing companies in any part of the world.