March 14, 2024
Feit’s White Filament IP Campaign Targets GE Lighting
The GE LED Pearl Filament lamp comes under scrutiny in new lawsuit
Feit Electric Company, Inc.'s intellectual property (IP) campaign is gaining momentum as it files a new lawsuit against Savant Technologies LLC, doing business as GE Lighting. This action marks a significant step in Feit Electric's broader strategy to enforce its patents related to white filament LED technology, following a recent legal battle that was initiated with LEDVANCE last month.
The lawsuit, lodged in the Northern District of Ohio, centers on alleged infringement of U.S. Patent No. 8,604,678, titled "Wavelength Conversion Component With a Diffusing Layer." This patent is pivotal in the development of LED lighting solutions that Feit Electric claims are being infringed upon by specific GE Lighting products, notably the GE LED Pearl Filament Model No. LED6DBC/DL9GCQWF-3T.
Above: Image of GE Lighting packaging submitted as part of legal complaint
This legal action is part of an ongoing IP campaign by Feit Electric, highlighting its commitment to protecting its intellectual property in the competitive decorative LED lamp category.
Aside from Savant and LEDVANCE, Feit Electric has also previously engaged in LED filament legal battles with other companies, such as Korean components maker Seoul Semiconductor, which aggressively pursued Feit in 2020 and 2022. Those disputes did not involve the white filament specifically and focused on the technical details of LED filament design, including the materials and processes used to achieve specific lighting effects and efficiencies.
Feit seeks a judgment affirming that Savant has infringed upon its U.S. Patent No. 8,604,678, alongside a preliminary and permanent injunction to halt further infringement. Feit Electric is also pursuing damages, including lost profits or, at minimum, a reasonable royalty, and argues for a tripling of these damages based on the alleged willful nature of the infringement. Additionally, Feit Electric seeks to recover legal fees, expenses, and costs, as well as pre-judgment and post-judgment interest and costs.
Savant is expected to refute Feit's claims. Court records indicate that they have not yet been served with the lawsuit, but once they are, Savant will have 21 days to respond.
