DURHAM, N.C.–December 19, 2011– Cree, Inc. (Nasdaq: CREE) announces it has granted five LED lighting manufacturers licenses to select Cree patents through its recently launched remote phosphor licensing program. By making fundamental remote phosphor patents available through license, Cree is further enabling LED lighting adoption, as Cree innovations facilitate the development of LED lights combining remote phosphor optical elements with blue LEDs.

“Cree is committed to the development of innovative, energy-efficient LED lighting technology and this program provides access to important technology developed by Cree,” said George Brandes, Cree director of intellectual property licensing. “The remote phosphor licensing program is designed to provide rights under the relevant Cree patents that our LED customers need to develop and commercialize leading-edge LED luminaires and bulbs, accelerating the LED lighting revolution.”

Initial licensees to Cree’s remote phosphor patents include lighting innovators Aurora Energie Corp., Horner APG, Ledzworld Technology, Vexica Technology, and Wyndsor Lighting, LLC. Cree is currently in discussions with other companies to license the remote phosphor patents and aims to sign additional licensing agreements in the coming months. Details of the royalty-bearing licenses were not disclosed.

About Cree

Cree is a market-leading innovator of semiconductor solutions for wireless and power applications, lighting-class LEDs, and LED lighting solutions.

Cree’s product families include power-switching devices and radio-frequency/wireless devices, blue and green LED chips, high-brightness LEDs, lighting-class power LEDs, and LED fixtures and bulbs. Cree solutions are driving improvements in applications such as variable-speed motors, wireless communications, general illumination and electronic signs and signals.

For additional product and company information, please refer to www.cree.com