Nichia and ams OSRAM, two global leaders in the LED and laser industry, have announced the expansion of their long-standing collaboration in the field of intellectual property (IP). On Thursday 16 October, 2025, in a joint effort to strengthen industry-leading IP protection, Nichia President Hiroyoshi Ogawa and ams OSRAM CEO Aldo Kamper signed a comprehensive cross-license agreement covering thousands of patent-protected innovations in LED and laser technologies.
This agreement grants both companies mutual access to each other’s patents for nitride LED and laser components and, for the first time, also includes sophisticated LED packages and modules, such as matrix headlamps. The move aims to provide enhanced IP safety for customers using products based on patented technologies from both companies.
Nichia and ams OSRAM have a long history of collaboration, with cross-license agreements dating back to 2002 and an update in 2010. The new agreement covers R&D results from the last 15 years, highlighting the companies’ continual investment in research and development.
“In an industry driven by innovation, intellectual property is the foundation of trust and long-term value. Unfortunately, we continue to see LED and laser products entering the market that do not meet essential IP standards. Together with Nichia, we encourage customers to scrutinize claims of IP compliance and to choose partners holding a unique IP position like ams OSRAM and Nichia,” says Aldo Kamper, CEO of ams OSRAM.
As the two global leaders in the LED and laser industry, Nichia and ams OSRAM are committed to safeguarding the market’s integrity by encouraging respect for intellectual property throughout the industry. “As we renew the most comprehensive and robust cross-licensing agreement in the sector, customers who select products from Nichia or ams OSRAM can have confidence in their business activities, knowing they benefit from extensive patent protection. Together, we will continue to lead the way in energy-efficient solutions for years to come,” says Hiroyoshi Ogawa, President of Nichia.
Founded in 1956 as a specialty chemical producer, Nichia is now the world’s largest LED and laser diode manufacturer with a motto of “Ever Researching for a Brighter World.” The company takes great pride in its role as a technology leader and has a track record of groundbreaking innovations, including the development and commercialization of the first high-brightness blue LED in 1993 and the first white LED in 1996. Nichia also produces nitride-based LEDs in various colors, including ultraviolet and visible Laser Diodes, and believes its products will remain at the forefront of energy-efficient solutions for years to come.
Similarly, ams OSRAM, with more than 110 years of industry experience, is a global leader in innovative light and sensor solutions. The company’s 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 both emitter and sensor technologies. With approximately 19,700 employees worldwide and a focus on pioneering innovations in line with digitalization, smart living, and sustainability, ams OSRAM boasts over 13,000 patents granted and applied. In 2024, the company achieved EUR 3.4 billion in revenues and is listed as ams-OSRAM AG on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ISIN: AT0000A3EPA4).
For more information, please contact:
Public Relations, Nichia Corporation
Tel:+81-884-22-2311
Fax:+81-884-23-7717
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.