AU Optronics Research Articles

Best in Show Winners

The Society for Information Display honored four exhibiting companies with Best in Show awards at Display Week 2018 in Los Angeles: Ares Materials, AU Optronics, Tianma, and Visionox.

InnoLux v AU Optronics: comparing territorial limits to EU and US public enforcement of the LCD cartel

InnoLux v AU Optronics: comparing territorial limits to EU and US public enforcement of the LCD cartel

Having a patent department alone cannot constitute a specific intent to cause direct infringement under US patent law Apeldyn Corp. v AU Optronics Corp., 522 F. App'x 912, 912 (Fed. Cir. 2013)

Having a patent department alone cannot constitute a specific intent to cause direct infringement under US patent law Apeldyn Corp. v AU Optronics Corp., 522 F. App'x 912, 912 (Fed. Cir. 2013)

Exceptional Cases: When the FTAIA Runs into the Illinois Brick Wall

In 1982, Congress enacted the Foreign Antitrust Trade Improvements Act (FTAIA) to resolve uncertainties about the international reach and effect of U.S. antitrust laws. Unfortunately, the FTAIA has provided more questions than answers. It has been ten years since the Supreme Court most recently interpreted the FTAIA, and crucial questions and circuit splits abound. One of these questions is how to understand the convergence of the direct purchaser rule (frequently referred to as the Illinois Brick doctrine) and the FTAIA. Under the direct purchaser rule, only those who purchase directly from antitrust violators are typically permitted to sue under section 4 of the Clayton Act for treble damages. There are several court-created exceptions to this rule that allow indirect purchasers to sue under section 4. This Note addresses the open question of whether courts should apply these exceptions in the FTAIA context. The Seventh Circuit recently discussed this question in Motorola Mobility LLC v. AU Optronics Corp., implying that courts should not recognize Illinois Brick’s exceptions in the FTAIA context. This Note argues for a different interpretation of the case — one that supports the effective deterrence of antitrust violations while vindicating the need to compensate American consumers who are foreseeably, substantially, and directly damaged by foreign anticompetitive conduct. Based on an analysis of the purpose of the Illinois Brick doctrine and the text of the FTAIA, this Note concludes that when an exception to Illinois Brick would permit indirect purchasers to sue in the domestic context, U.S. courts should also allow indirect purchasers to sue under the FTAIA.

Standing in the Way of the FTAIA: Exceptional Applications of Illinois Brick

In 1982, Congress enacted the Foreign Antitrust Trade Improvements Act (FTAIA) to resolve uncertainties about the international reach and effect of U.S. antitrust laws. Unfortunately, the FTAIA has provided more questions than answers. It has been ten years since the Supreme Court most recently interpreted the FTAIA, and crucial questions and circuit splits abound. One of these questions is how to understand the convergence of the direct purchaser rule (frequently referred to as the Illinois Brick doctrine) and the FTAIA. Under the direct purchaser rule, only those who purchase directly from antitrust violators are typically permitted to sue under section 4 of the Clayton Act for treble damages. There are several court-created exceptions to this rule that allow indirect purchasers to sue under section 4. This Note addresses the open question of whether courts should apply these exceptions in the FTAIA context. The Seventh Circuit recently discussed this question in Motorola Mobility LLC v. AU Optronics Corp., implying that courts should not recognize Illinois Brick’s exceptions in the FTAIA context. This Note argues for a different interpretation of the case—one that supports the effective deterrence of antitrust violations while vindicating the need to compensate American consumers who are foreseeably, substantially, and directly damaged by foreign anticompetitive conduct. Based on an analysis of the purpose of the Illinois Brick doctrine and the text of the FTAIA, this Note concludes that when an exception to Illinois Brick would permit indirect purchasers to sue in the domestic context, U.S. courts should also allow indirect purchasers to sue under the FTAIA.

AU Optronics Corporation leads in green innovation

PurposeThis paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.FindingsGreen issues are hot news today. Environmental awareness is an essential part of strategic thinking for companies large and small, at a time when investors and the public at large are ready to raise questions about how products are made, the materials used and the disposal of waste. Any organization with an international business also needs to be aware of and comply with a whole range of environmental regulations, including the Kyoto Protocol; the Montréal Convention; and EU directives on the use and disposal of hazardous materials. Sometimes compliance is a reluctant afterthought, but there are others who use green innovation as a key part of their strategy and a way to take the lead over their competitors.Practical implicationsThe paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.Originality/valueThe briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.

Origins of green innovations: the differences between proactive and reactive green innovations

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the origins of the two types of green innovations: proactive and reactive green innovations.Design/methodology/approachIn order to satisfy the essence of the triangulation in methodology, this study applies a hybrid research method which includes both qualitative and quantitative research to discuss the origins of green innovations based on the two following stages. First, the study uses inductive logic from the perspectives of case study research and grounded theory to build the research framework and selects AU Optronics Corp. (AUO), the worldwide top three manufacturer in the TFT‐LCD industry, as the research object. Second, the study utilizes a questionnaire survey method to test the research framework proposed in the first stage.FindingsThis study divides green innovations into two types: proactive and reactive green innovations, because their origins are different. The results show that both of the internal origins – environmental leadership, environmental culture, and environmental capability and the external origins – the environmental regulations and the environmentalism of investors and clients – can generate reactive green innovation. However, only the internal origins can facilitate proactive green innovation. This study suggests that companies should invest their resources in cultivating the internal origins rather than the external origins.Originality/valueThe paper provides insights into what origins cause proactive and reactive green innovations by means of hybrid research method – qualitative and quantitative research – in Taiwan. This study builds up a theory about the origins of the two types of green innovations.

Combined MCDM techniques for exploring company value based on Modigliani–Miller theorem

This study combines decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), analytical network process (ANP), and VIKOR to discuss the influence relationship between and relative weights of the major factors influencing company value – cash flow, weighted average cost of capital (WACC), and tax shield and their sub-factors based on the Modigliani–Miller (MM) theorem. The purpose of this study is to offer a reference to investors and regulatory units on how to choose the most valuable company as well as utilize a more accurate financial econometrics model to support their decisions. The factors and sub-factors are identified through the research model proposed by this study and the 3 factors of MM are then expanded into a seven-factor model. Among the seven factors, a study on company value shows that scale of debt is the most important criterion compared to all other criteria, followed by cost of debt, and earnings before interest and tax (EBIT). Moreover, empirical findings demonstrate that among the leading companies of Taiwan, Japan and Korea’s panel sector, the investment value of Samsung Electronics is significantly higher than LG, AU Optronics (AUO), Innolux, and Sharp. Research results further indicate that decomposing the MM model into a more precise financial econometrics model can help investors make better stock investment decisions.

Making a Greener TFT-LCD

Recently, green technology has become a key driver for TFT-LCD development. Green technologies in TFT-LCDs include product designs that are environmentally friendly, alterative manufacturing processes, and more. Achieving high transmittance of an LCD cell as well as reducing overall system power requirements are key elements, along with clean process alternatives for manufacturing. These are the most promising approaches for green TFT-LCDs. The authors from AU Optronics will describe the process involved in making a greener LCD.

The TFT–LCD industry in Taiwan: competitive advantages and future developments

Taiwan is one of the world's largest provider of thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT–LCD) panels, second only to Korea. In 1998, Taiwan accounted for only 1% of market share worldwide, but by 2002 its market share was over 30%. This study examines the causes behind this amazing growth. There are five major TFT–LCD manufacturers in Taiwan, the largest being AU Optronics Corp. (AUO), which evolved from a 2001 merger between Acer Display Technologies and Unipac Optoelectronics Corp. This case study discusses the benefits obtained from mergers that result in more complete product lines and integrated resources to enhance competitiveness. Porter's Diamond Model is utilized to develop a greater understanding of Taiwan's unique competitive advantages in the global TFT–LCD industry. Then, using the Grey forecasting model, we show that Taiwan's TFT–LCD industry can expect continued growth. The article ends with suggestions for encouraging developing of Taiwan's TFT–LCD industry.

台湾のハイテク企業の地域経済分析

The purpose of this paper is to analysis how much “High Risk-High Return” Response can influence a regional economy. And Taiwanese high-tech companies are focused on and mainly their investment strategy and employment policy are analyzed in this paper.Taiwanese economy has been recovered steadily since 2002. And the economic growth ratio of 2004 1Q and 2Q reaches 6.72% and 7.88% respectively. This high growth comes from the private investment growth ratio (24.9%). Especially high-tech companies are in a position to lead this investment.In Taiwan, there are many excellent high-tech companies such as TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) in Semiconductor industry and AU Optronics Corporation in Liquid Crystal Display industry. They mainly adopt “High Risk-High Return” Response. They invest much money positively and profit much. They have played a large role to stimulate Taiwanese economy. And unemployment ratio of these years becomes lower consequently. Though “High Risk-High Return” Response of Taiwanese high-tech companies may involve a risk of losing much money, this has a salutary effect on Taiwanese economy now.“High Risk-High Return” Response can be essential for companies to survive, because it is not easy for companies to gain without much investment in today's fast-moving economy. This means that Japanese companies may have to adopt this “High Risk-High Return” Response to outpace foreign competition.JEL classification : R11, R39, R58

New 5G colour filter fab

M+W Zander, a Jenoptick AG subsidiary has an upper eight-figure euro range follow-up order from AU Optronics, Taiwan to engineer and construct approximately 44,000m 2 in cleanroom area, including connected HVAC systems. M+W Zander already received the contract for the 15,000m 2 cleanroom during Phase 1 construction of the new 5G colour filter fab in April 2003. The new order applies to 2 & 3 construction phases of the new facility. This is a short news story only. Visit www.three-fives.com for the latest advanced semiconductor industry news.