ITC Complaint Seeks Import Ban on Cree LED Packages With PFS-Based Phosphor

Public interest comments are due April 25 on a Tariff Act Section 337 complaint at the International Trade Commission seeking a ban on imports of Cree LED packages containing potassium fluorosilicate-based phosphor on patent-infringement grounds, said a Federal Register notice Wednesday. Current Lighting Solutions, General Electric and Consumer Lighting alleged in an April 11 complaint that Cree and its Hong Kong and Chinese subsidiaries are importing LED packages that comprise fluoride-based phosphors activated with manganese that copy their patented technologies. The lighting is most commonly found in products designed for museums and high-end retail displays. Current, GE and Consumer Lighting seek a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders against Cree LED packages and components that infringe its patents. Cree didn’t comment.