Philips Electronics NV, Thomson SA’s Thomson Consumer Electronics and Sagem SA have decided to put their flat panel active matrix display interests together in a joint venture in which Philips will own 80% and the others 10% each; Philips will also take a 10% stake in Thomson LCD. The new company will start operations from January 1, with deliveries later in the year. Philips tosses in its flat panel business group, Eindhoven pilot plant and the volume facility it is building, Sagem will grant an exclusive licence to its 2s3s TNT patent with permission from France Telecom. No financial details were given. The participants will also form a research and development consortium with France Telecom’s Centre Nationale d’etudes des Telecommunications and other companies to support the development of materials and production equipment. They are seeking funding from Esprit III.
