Prime View, Hydis License FFS Display Technology to Sharp

Taipei, July 19, 2012 (CENS)--Prime View International Co., Ltd. and its South Korean subsidiary, Hydis Technology Co., Ltd., recently signed a 10-year agreement to license Sharp Corp. fringe field switching (FFS) display technology, which is noted for wide view angle, power saving, high contrast and high definition.

According to the agreement, Hydis provides the technology, on which it holds 1,500 patents, while Prime View collects the royalty.

Industry executives pointed out that Sharp needs the licensing to win Apple's contracts to make Apple iTVs. Apple has applied the technology to iPads and iTVs.

According to Prime View Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Scott Liu, Prime View and the subsidiary licensed the technology to LGD three years ago on one-time charge basis due to low use of the technology.

The royalty charge on Sharp is based on a pro rata basis because the technology has become popular over the past three years in tablet PC and smartphone industries.

While Prime View, Hydis and Sharp have declined to disclose the size of the royalty is and when it will be paid, industry executives estimated the amount of the charge will depend on iTV shipment volume.

Liu estimated FFS application will extend beyond smartphones and tablet PCs to laptops and TVs soon.