There appears to be some misinformation here regrding the LEDS and what they can and cannot do in your tank.
The main thing I see here is that no one is mentioning the use of Optics which increase the effectiveness of the LEDS and essentially make them useable for marine tanks, particularily the deeper ones.
There are a lot of good articles on Nano-reef and RC regarding the Cree 3w leds, and the optics required.
One of the most recent to come out is information on the PAR Plots of the PAR38 lamps sold by nanocustoms where not only depth of tank was taken into consideration, but also the optics.
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/inde...pic=221433&hl=
For a deeper tank, of 31" 40 degree optics would be necessary to ensure usuable par reaches the sand bed. Even when making a LED array. Therefore in a deeper tank, you will need to use more LEDS to cover the same area available in a shorter tank with 60 degree optics.
Obviously though, you with currently with LEDS you will be unable to keep SPS on the bottom of the tank, but placement from top to middle with good growth and color is achievable.
24 led array info in 5'x2'x2' tank
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/inde...&#entry2667131
47g Column 32 led 40 degree optic array
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/inde...&#entry2667635
The Ultimate LED Guide by EvilC66
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/inde...owtopic=186982
Coral Growth with LEDS
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...highlight=LEDs
Now to get back to the topic of patents. While it really sucks that Orbitec patented the use of LEDS with a controller, such as the Solaris, we have to remember that this great world of ours revolves around one thing. Money.
It is PFO's fault they didn't check for a patent before marketing their product. Plain and simple. But honestly, the patent is not what is keeping lighting companies from developing more LED lighting.
AquaIllumination has developed controller based lighting and are more than likely paying royalties to Orbitec.
http://www.aquaillumination.com/?page_id=38
Marineland has come out with it's own LED lighting now, although far inferior. IMO best used for freshwater applications.
http://www.petsolutions.com/Marinela...432990+C1.aspx
Additionally, AquaIlluminations lighting is licensed under Orbitec's U.S. Patent Nos. 7,200,018 B2 and 7,473,008 B2.
http://glassbox-design.com/2009/aqua-illumination-led/
It is within my opinion, that the U.S. Patent office needs to change how they do things. I think it is fine if someone wishes to Patent something, however, they should be required to create the product for use within the patent within a 5 year period.
Specifics to the actual application of the product should also start to be noted within a Patent.
Orbitecs wants to use their LED lighting for sustainablility of marine life.
This is too broad an application and they should be made to specify whether this for space application, home aquarium application or industrial aquaculture applications.
As such, they would have 5 years to develop their lighting system around each of those applications for sale on the market.
Failure to do so would then allow another company to step in to create such a product thus creating a more competative market for products and keeping large companies from owning patents on items they have no intention of creating for consumer use.