toyota under fire for hybrid technology

badgolferman · 2006-01-13T16:50:06+00:00

Toyota Under Fire for Hybrid TechnologyA technology company is taking aim at Toyota, saying that the company'sgas-electric hybrid Prius and Highlander vehicles infringe on its U.S.patents.Solomon Technologies, Inc. announced today that it has expanded itslitigation against Toyota by filing a complaint with the United StatesInternational Trade Commission (ITC) in Washington D.C. This action isin addition to the action already filed in the United States DistrictCourt for the Middle District of Florida last September.The ITC acts as an administrative investigative body to determine,among other things, whether or not goods imported into the UnitedStates infringe U.S. patents.Solomon president Peter W. DeVecchis, Jr., said, "The filing of the ITCcomplaint is the next step in our effort to fully prosecute the allegedinfringement by Toyota and to protect our valuable intellectualproperty. We believe that the ITC's streamlined administrative process,as well as the technical depth of the ITC staff, will be helpful inexpediting and supporting our claims." He continued, "While the ITC cannot assess damages against an infringer, it can issue an exclusionorder prohibiting the importation of infringing technology. We willcontinue our effort to protect our intellectual property to the fullestextent possible."Solomon brought suit against Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota MotorSales U.S.A. Inc. and Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America in theUnited States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, TampaDivision, on September 12, 2005, claiming infringement of a number ofclaims in Solomon's U.S. Patent Number 5,067,932, primarily relating toToyota's use of the technology in its Prius and Highlander Hybridvehicles.If Solomon were successful in its ITC action, Toyota could beprohibited from importing into the United States infringing combinationmotor and transmission systems and those products containing suchsystems, including the Toyota Prius and Highlander models.

Jan 13, 2006 21 Replies

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Art 20 years ago

Cars are putting out water vapor right now.

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gosinn 20 years ago

Think about what petrol cars are sending out

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