Canon to take full control of joint venture for flat panel displays

Japanese electronics maker Canon will take full control of a joint venture for flat panel TVs using a new technology called SED in a move aimed at an early settlement of a legal dispute in the United State, according to the Associated Press WorldStream service.

Canon Inc. will turn SED Inc., an equally owned venture with Toshiba Corp., into a wholly owned subsidiary, effective Jan. 29, the two companies said in a statement.

The decision was prompted by litigation against Canon underway in the U.S. over SED technology, a new type of flat-panel display jointly developed with Toshiba, the statement said.

SED, which stands for surface-conduction electron-emitter display, panels have a reputation for delivering clear and vivid images because their light-beaming technology is similar to that for old-style cathode-ray tube TVs.