Philips Gets WAC'd!

added by EdEdison 6 days ago

In the old days we had Ole Nilssen.    He wore funny shoes and walked around LIGHTFAIR looking for patent violations.  We all kind of made fun of him, but he was a money-generating machine. 

Patent law has always been tricky.  If a case was not settled and went to court, high power attorneys would find themselves explaining technical details to lay people who often could not comprehend the case.  Historically, we are told that Philips Lighting has settled every patent.  These settlements were private and neither party would be allowed to disclose details. This worked in Philips Lightig favor as it prevented other parties from seeing any weaknesses in their patent portfolio.

In 2011 the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) was created to strengthen the patent system.  Lawmakers hoped to avoid the need for patent lawsuits by giving patent holders and challengers a quick and inexpensive way to resolve disputes as an alternative to lengthy litigation.

EdisonReport has received many complaints over the years about Philips Lighting  and the way they were enforcing patents—even on their own customers.   One of those customers was WAC Lighting.  

Philips sued WAC Lighting for several alleged patent violations.  Instead of settling with Philips—as most have done (one count is 600)—WAC took its case to the PTAB and last week the PTAB gave them what appears to be a huge victory.  EdisonReport initially covered this in an April 2014 article.

Below are the results with the appropriate PDF Links.

1.       ‘458 Denied

2.       ‘988 Instituted (claims 1 and 2)

3.       ‘774 instituted (claims 1, 3, 5 and 14)

4.       ‘690 Partial Institution (claim 1) but not claims 5 and 6.

5.       ‘890 Partial Institution (claims 15 and 23) but not claims 7 and 31.

6.       ‘138 Instituted (claims 1, 2, 9, 10, 11, 20, 21, 31, 33 and 34)

7.       ‘399 (claims 7, 8, 17, 18, 28 and 34)

Here is why the PTAB is so important.  Because of the above links, other companies can now fight Philips and know the weaknesses in the portfolio.  In the old days, when these were settled, each new defendant would have to start from ground zero. Now attorneys will be able to build upon the WAC results.

As we go to press, we are told that Philips has now withdrawn two of their patents, where they have been pursuing WAC and others.  To our knowledge this is a first.

While EdisonReport is a strong believer in the value of IP, we do think the pendulum has swung too far and that many of these patents are too general; they stifle innovation, and create a type of tax on the industry.

Bright Lights for Holiday Nights: Everything You Need to Know About Holiday Lighting and LEDs

LED lighting to save money during holidays

According to Forbes, Americans are set to save big during the holiday season using LED technology.  The infographic suggests that the normal family will save over $100 per year using LEDs vs. Incandescent.  Also, the lifespan of LEDs are astounding, with a projected 40 year life for LED holiday lights.  Per the article, “The U.S. Department of Energy claims that by 2027, widespread LED use across the United States could save 348 TWh of electricity. That’s equivalent to 44 large powerplants (1,000 megawatts each) and could save over $30 billion.”  Keep your eyes here for the newest lighting news!
Article from: http://www.columbialighting.com/blog/?p=4365

Plan for 10 billion ultra-efficient LEDs lights up Paris climate summit

Lighting alliance unites Ikea and Philips with India and China in ambitious blueprint for global lighting overhaul

Governments including China, India, the US and companies such as Ikea are backing a plan to have 10bn super efficient light bulbs fitted worldwide to tackle the 5% of global emissions caused by lighting.

The public-private partnership is expected to see India sell 0.8bn LED bulbs by 2019 and China committing to sell 5bn by 2018.

Ikea, the Swedish furniture multinational, committed to sell 500m LED bulbs to its customers by 2020.

The Swedish energy minister, Ibrahim Baylan, told the Guardian that the scheme had been an outgrowth of innovations in the lighting sector this decade.

“New lighting creates new opportunities in our societies with multiple benefits,” he said. “Sweden wants to support the transition to universal access of high-efficient and high-quality lighting, which is why we join this race with other Clean Energy Ministerial partners to realise the efficiency potential that exists in Sweden and the rest of the world.”

The US energy secretary, Ernest Moniz, will also be endorsing the project which is backed by 13 major economies – including Australia, the UK and Mexico – and the European commission.

Lighting accounts for around 15% of the world’s electricity consumption, more than the combined output of all the planet’s nuclear plants.

That demand is set to rise 50% by 2030 as the world’s population grows, urbanisation increases and 1.2 billion people who currently lack access to energy grids get connected.

Equally though, an overnight transition to LED lighting could save about 735m tonnes of carbon emissions, which is enough to displace nearly 250 coal-fired power plants around the world.

The initiative is thus being presented as a race against time.

“If we have 20 years of the global carbon budget left, we need to create products that are fantastically energy efficient and roll them out to scale very fast,” said Steve Howard, Ikea’s chief sustainability officer.

Ikea converted its entire lighting range to LEDs in September, and says that it expects its contribution to the project to save enough energy to power half a million homes each year.

The Swedish firm’s LED sales promotion strategy currently includes giving a euro to pay for sustainable lighting for refugees, each time an LED is bought.

High Street LED prices have fallen by four-fifths since 2012, but the lights are still more than twice the price of their competitors, even if they use 85% less electricity and can last for up to 20 years.

LED lightbulbs can save you hundreds in energy bills

 

Read more

Howard said: “A year or two ago, people were still used to paying 50p for a lightbulb so they didn’t get the value proposition. But 18 months ago, we suddenly got to the price point where there was a massive response from our customers and sales took off.”

Industry leaders such as Philips, Osram, Cree and Enervee have also made private commitments to back the blueprint for affordable but climate-friendly illumination.

The US has seen a six-fold increase in LED home lighting in just two years, saving Americans $1.4bn in energy bills last year alone, according to the country’s Department of Energy.

Article from: http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/07/plan-for-10-billion-ultra-efficient-leds-lights-up-paris-climate-summit

Focus on Energy Efficient Lighting to Steer Global Lighting Fixtures Market to US$215.29 bn by 2021

According to a new market report published by Transparency Market Research "Lighting Fixtures Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2021" the lighting fixtures market was valued at US$136.30 bn in 2014; and is expected to reach US$215.29 bn in 2021, at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2015 to 2021.

Lighting market transition from traditional lighting technology such as incandescent and fluorescent lamps to more energy efficient lighting technology such as LED and OLED lamps is primarily driving the growth of lighting fixtures market. Growth in construction industry globally, is leading to increasing infrastructure development primarily in semi-urban and rural areas. Due to this factor, installation of lighting fixtures in residential, commercial and public buildings is expected to surge during the forecast period, driving the lighting fixtures market growth.

However, high initial investment for installation of new lighting fixtures and retrofitting traditional lighting fixtures is posing as a major restraint to the growth of the global lighting fixtures market. Moreover, complex buying decision process of lighting fixtures is inhibiting lighting fixtures market growth.

Key opportunity of the global lighting fixtures market lies in retrofitting the traditional lighting fixtures with advanced lighting fixtures. Optimal functioning of new lighting technology such as LED and OLED lighting technology are dependent on the advanced design of the lighting fixture. Demands for these advanced lighting technologies are creating new opportunities for existing and new players in the lighting fixtures market.

Geographically, Asia Pacific led the lighting fixtures market in 2015 and the region is expected to continue its dominance till 2021. The growth in this region is attributed to the increasing urbanization and surge in investment in construction industry. However, due to rising government regulations and policies aimed at encouraging implementation of energy efficient lighting over traditional lighting such as incandescent and fluorescent lighting, Europe have the highest growth potential during the forecast period.

Key players have also been profiled on the basis of company overview, financial overview, business strategies and recent developments in the field of lighting fixtures industry. Major market participants profiled in this report include Acuity Brands, Inc. (U.S.), Cooper Lighting, LLC (U.S.), General Electric Company (U.S.), Hubbell Lighting, Inc. (U.S.) and Koninklijke Philips N.V. (Netherlands) among others. The global lighting market is a highly fragmented market at the bottom due to the presence of large number of local players globally. Additionally, leading players of the market is focusing on growing opportunities in the field of energy efficient lighting fixtures.

The report studies the global lighting fixtures market, and provides estimates in terms of revenue (USD Billion) from 2015 to 2021. Market estimates on the basis of product type and application for each region. The market has been segmented as follows

Global Lighting Fixtures Market: By Product Type

• Ceiling, Pendant and Chandelier
• Wall Mounted
• Recessed
• Portable
• High Bay and Low Bay
• Others (Emergency Lighting, Track Lighting and Fan)

Global Lighting Fixtures Market: By Application

• Industrial and Commercial
• Residential
• Outdoor
• Architectural
• Others (Automotive, Aerospace and Machinery)

The report provides a cross-sectional analysis of all the above segments with respect to the following regions:

Global Lighting Fixtures Market: By Geography

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico

Europe

• U.K.
• Germany
• France
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• India
• China
• Japan
• Rest of Asia Pacific

Rest of the World

• Latin America
• Middle East
• Africa

Introducing the Eclipse Mini from Luminis

We are pleased to introduce the new Eclipse Mini collection of bollards, pendants, post-top, and wall mount luminaires.

A complement to the existing range of 8” Eclipse products, the Mini collection features various pole and wall attachments, and different shade, strut and louver options. Combining functionality with a decorative design and smaller 6” footprint, Eclipse Mini is ideal for parks and pedestrian areas.
FEATURE SUMMARY

• 6” diameter base
• Full cut-off. U=0 (BUG rating)
• Post-top, wall, bollard and pendant mount options
• 4000K standard color temperature with 3000K and 3500K options
• 80 CRI
• 139,000 hour lifetime
• 700 to 4700 delivered lumens depending upon chosen model, distribution type and input
• High impact white translucent UV stabilized acrylic diffuser included with some models
• Integral LED heat dissipating pad in top cover
• Multiple standard finish colors, with the option of custom color finishes
• 347V version available

Find out more at: http://www.luminis.com/products/exterior-lighting/eclipse-mini/ec601

GE to use gunfire sensors in LED street lighting

General Electric Co. is working with the developer of the ShotSpotter technology that can be used to quickly pinpoint gunshot violence — including potential terrorism — in cities.

The technology, which uses tiny microphones to pinpoint gunshots using triangulation, was once used by the Troy Police Department, until the city, which had deployed 22 of the ShotSpotter sensors, stopped using the technology in 2012. City officials argued it wasn't reliable enough at the time to justify the high costs.

GE Lighting signed an agreement with SST, the owner of ShotSpotter, a few months ago to incorporate the sensors in LED street lighting systems, a move expected to decrease the cost of deployment. SST is located in Newark, Calif., and is privately held.

GE developed a lot of its LED technology in Niskayuna. However, GE Lighting is based in East Cleveland, Ohio where GE has a large LED lab. The lighting business is also part of GE's home appliance division that GE is trying to spin off.

The ShotSpotter systems are used in 90 cities, although there have been concerns about their effectiveness due to false alarms and other technical issues.

The ShotSpotter sensors will be incorporated into "smart" LED street lights using the light's wireless system and microchips, offering cities a perfect mesh network at a lower cost of deployment.

It is unclear if the partnership will improve the accuracy or effectiveness of the systems, although the two companies say cities will be able to deploy the systems over a much larger area at a lower cost.

"With ShotSpotter sensors embedded into lighting fixtures throughout a city, much broader coverage areas will be available on a cost affordable basis," ShotSpotter and GE said in a September news release.

GE's agreement with SST is part of a larger push by GE Lighting to focus on offering cities high-end smart street lamps that can collect data on traffic and parking and relay that information back to the public using kiosks on the lights.

Article from: http://www.timesunion.com/business/article/GE-to-use-gunfire-sensors-in-LED-street-lighting-6652844.php