Observation of leakage current paths through the device perimeter in standard poly(phenylene vinylene)-based light-emitting devices is reported. Perimeter leakage currents govern the diode performance in reverse and low positive bias and exhibit an ohmic character. Current density correlates with the perimeter-to-area ratio thus indicating that leakage currents are mainly confined on polymer regions in the vicinity of metallic contact limits (device perimeter). (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.