Hydis Joins with Tianma but Sees Revenue Downturn

Hydis Technologies, Korea-based subsidiary of electronic paper maker E Ink Holdings (EIH), and China-based Tianma Micro-electronics have agreed to cross-license TFT-LCD patents. Hydis licenses fringe field switching (FFS) wide viewing-angle technology to Tianma for royalty revenues, but the use of AMOLED panels for smartphones and hand-held devices has reduced demand for FFS-based panels. EIH says that, in 2016, Hydis’ annual royalty income from FFS licensing will fall between 5% and 10%.