Eglo and Vossius Win Fourth Infringement Case Against Signify: Austrian LED light manufacturer Eglo may continue to sell its LED lights in Germany following a decision by the Regional Court Düsseldorf. This means that Signify, the former Philips subsidiary, is still awaiting legal success before it can include Eglo in its licensing program.

On September 20, the Düsseldorf Regional Court dismissed Signify’s lawsuit against Eglo, which alleged infringement of patent EP 34 28 506. The court found that Eglo’s lights do not infringe EP 506 (case ID: 4c O 15/21). This patent pertains to a lighting device crucial for LED lights with a nostalgic lighting effect, a segment that is both large and highly competitive.

Despite the ruling, Signify announced its intention to appeal the decision. For the past 14 years, Signify has operated the EnabLED licensing program, which now includes over 1,400 licensees. Recently, the program was expanded from 500 to 600 patent families, and Signify has extended licensing offers to all current and new licensees.

In 2021, Signify sued Eglo for infringement of four LED patents in Düsseldorf. The initial ruling did not favor Signify; in October 2021, the Regional Court Düsseldorf dismissed a claim concerning patent EP 16 10 593 due to lack of infringement (case ID: 4c O 61/20), and this decision is currently under appeal.

Another case saw the Regional Court Düsseldorf stay the infringement dispute pending a decision from the Federal Patent Court regarding patent EP 12 34 140. Additionally, in April 2022, the court suspended actions related to patent EP 18 69 365 due to doubts about the patents’ validity (case ID: 4c O 2/21).

Meanwhile, Eglo has filed nullity actions against all four Signify patents at the Federal Patent Court. Signify has also pursued lawsuits against Eglo in the US, where litigation over nine patents is ongoing.