Hitachi, Matsushita Collaborate On PDPs

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 2/8/2005

Tokyo — Hitachi and Matsushita said they have agreed to a comprehensive collaboration on the development, cross-licensing and marketing of plasma display panels.

Hitachi, which recently agreed to purchase a majority of Fujitsu Ltd.’s stake in the Fujitsu Hitachi Plasma Display Ltd. operation, is expected to use the collaboration with Matsushita to more effectively run the operation, and administer and maintain cross-licensing activity between the two companies.

Under the agreement, the companies said they will explore ways to using common components to lower costs. In addition, engineers from both companies will work together on future product technologies.

The agreement is not expected to include the creation a joint venture company or a merger of production facilities.