Companies Ink Patent Pact

Japan-based Sharp Corp. and Toyoda Gosei Co. announced Friday that they have signed an agreement cross-licensing their LED and laser diode patents, a move they say will enhance both companies' research and development efforts and allow them to respond to market demand for more advanced LEDs and laser diodes. The pact will cover roughly 900 patents held by Sharp and about 700 held by Toyoda Gosei. Sharp makes laser diodes for Blu-ray Disc players and last summer introduced LED light bulbs in Japan. Toyoda Gosei makes LEDs as well as parts for automobiles and other transportation equipment, semiconductors, and construction and machine tool equipment, among others.