Patenting bright ideas [current state of patented technology in the field of organic light emitting diodes]

Engineering and law are inseparable in the information age. The vast wealth that technological innovations can bring makes legal protection a prime concern for engineers and corporations. One technology that holds great promise for the advancement of imaging applications is organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Today, numerous corporations and academic institutions are investing vast treasures in pursuit of organic light-emitting technology to create advanced video displays, printers, and lasers. While researching this technology, the innovators are protecting their large investment of wealth, time, and creativity through patenting their technology. This article integrates the fields of engineering and law to provide a unique perspective on the development of OLED technology. With institutions around the world racing to develop and profit from organic luminescent technology, engineers and institutions must keep track of not only the technology, but the legal protection of the technology as well.