Konarka Expands Licensing Agreement with DuPont Displays

Expanded Agreement Advances Konarka’s Leadership Position in Organic Photovoltaics

Lowell, Mass. – Oct. 22, 2007 – Konarka Technologies, Inc., an innovator in development and commercialization of Power Plastic®, a material that converts light to energy, today announced the company has expanded its license agreement with DuPont Displays to advance the polymer work of Nobel Laureate Dr. Alan Heeger, chief scientist, co-founder and director of Konarka. The expanded intellectual property (IP) agreement gives Konarka sole rights to practice the technology covered by Dr. Heeger’s patents for photovoltaic (PV) applications, as well as several DuPont patents covering related technology. In 2004, Konarka announced licensing certain intellectual property from DuPont Displays to develop organic polymer-based solar cells, and today’s announcement grants Konarka a position as sole licensee and sublicensee in that field.

“The acquisition of a preferred position in this intellectual property will help us to further maintain our leadership position in the development of organic photovoltaic technology and the commercialization of Power Plastic®,” commented Rick Hess, president and CEO of Konarka. “Additionally, this will give us further IP protection of the technology in addition to the substantial Konarka patent portfolio.” 

Under the original licensing agreement, Konarka has had access to certain intellectual property originally developed by DuPont and by the University of California at Santa Barbara, including work developed by Dr. Heeger, as well as work from Dr. Serdar Sariciftci. Now, Konarka is granted rights to a unique position with respect to these U.S. patents.

“We are very pleased that DuPont Displays’ technology developed as part of our OLED displays effort can also be a part of enabling the advancement of organic photovoltaic technology through this agreement with Konarka,” said William Feehery, president of DuPont Displays.

About Konarka Technologies, Inc.
Konarka builds products that convert light to energy – anywhere. As the leading developer of polymer photovoltaic technology that provide a source of renewable power in a variety of form factors for commercial, industrial, government and consumer applications, Konarka has a broad portfolio of patents, technology licenses and an accomplished technical team. The Company's Power Plastic® technology is focused on delivering lightweight, flexible, scalable and manufacturable products. Konarka Technologies is headquartered in Lowell, Mass., U.S.A., with European headquarters in Nuremberg, Germany, business development offices in Asia and a research and development facility in Austria. For additional information, visit http://www.konarka.com. 

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