ASIA– After a three-year-long slump, demand for flexible PCB (FPCB) is on the rise, according to market indicators. The improvement is due, in part, to smartphone and notebook applications that have stabilized average selling prices for FPCBs.
 
Because of strong competition over the past few years, smaller FPCB companies have been pushed out of the market. Industry watchers predict that the consolidation will bring stabilization in pricing. As an example, Career Technology in Taiwan reported high third-quarter average quote prices. The average selling price is predicted to increase in 2009, due to the constant introduction of new smartphone models.
 
FPCB companies in South Korea have taken a substantial hit. Over the past two years, the number of FPCB companies has dropped from 50 to 60 to the current level of only eight or nine companies. Some FPCB companies in Japan, including Nippon Mektron and Fujikura, have increase market share during the same period.

CHANDLER, AZ – Isola USA Corp. filed a complaint with the US International Trade Commission claiming certain imports of prepregs, laminates and PCBs infringe claims of its patents.
 
In the complaint, the Chandler-based company alleged several Asia companies, among them Ventec Electronics, Taiwan Union Technology, ITEQ Corp., and Guangdong Shengyi Sci. Tech Co., of violating Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930.
 
The company is asking the US ITC to ban the imports of any materials or products that allegedly infringe Isola's patents, including Ventec's VT-47 and VT-48, TUC's TU-662 and TU-752, ITEQ's IT-200DK, and Guangdong Shengyi's S1000.
 
Last week, Isola asked the China courts for help in protecting its IP, naming TUC and ITEQ for patent infringements. TUC strongly denied the allegations, insisting Isola “stop harassing TUC customers and interested companies at once.” ITEQ did not publicly respond.