July 16, 2025
Cree LED Files Patent Suit Over Outdoor Display Tech
Lawsuit alleges knock-off components and willful misuse of proprietary display technologies
A legal storm is brewing in the LED display world, and it’s headed straight for a federal court in Atlanta.
On July 15, CreeLED, Inc. filed a patent infringement suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, accusing Georgia-based NanoLumens, Inc. of infringing six patents tied to outdoor LED display technology. The complaint targets NanoLumens’ “Nixel Series Outdoor P8 Display,” alleging the product incorporates patented Cree LED technology without authorization.
The lawsuit outlines alleged violations of five utility patents and one design patent, covering everything from waterproof SMD packaging to LED arrangement within display panels. In documents filed with the court, Cree LED claims the displays contain “knock-off” components that mimic Cree’s patented devices, and that NanoLumens has continued to market the products despite receiving formal notice of alleged infringement last year.
A Quote, and a Signal
“Protecting our intellectual property is essential to sustaining innovation and ensuring a level playing field,” said Jesse Reiherzer, vice president of Cree LED’s High Bright business. The statement appeared in Cree LED’s press release issued the same day the complaint was filed. It signals a broader posture—one that suggests enforcement, not just invention, is now part of the company’s competitive strategy.
Cree LED’s complaint asserts that NanoLumens has known about the relevant patents since at least September 2024. According to the filing, Cree LED followed up in February 2025 with detailed claim charts comparing its patents to NanoLumens’ product features. The suit calls the alleged infringement “willful” and seeks monetary damages, enhanced penalties, and a court-ordered halt to sales.
Above: Exhibit from Cree LED complaint
Patents, Pixels, and Pressure
The patents at issue include claims around moisture-resistant LED encapsulation and component layout for full-color pixel displays — technologies crucial to high-brightness outdoor signage that can survive heat, humidity, and rain. The design patent also focuses on the physical appearance of a miniature SMD used in LED modules.
With the suit just filed yesterday, NanoLumens has not yet issued a public response or filed a legal answer. The company, known for its custom LED display installations in retail and transit environments, could face significant disruption if the court grants an injunction or awards damages.
While the courtroom arguments will come down to claim construction and product architecture, the implications may stretch further. In a market where visual performance is everything, the legal boundary between inspiration and imitation is about to be tested — under bright lights, and in federal court.
