US Judge backs Toyota in hybrid patent fight
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US Judge backs Toyota in hybrid patent fight
WASHINGTON, Feb 14 (Reuters) - A U.S. administrative judge sided with Toyota Motor Corp. (7203.T: Quote, NEWS , Research), concluding that its hybrid models did not infringe a patent held by a small U.S. company, the International Trade Commission said on Wednesday.
Administrative Law Judge Paul Luckern said the Prius and Highlander, and other Toyota hybrids, do not infringe a patent held by Florida-based Solomon Technologies Inc. (SOLM.OB: Quote, Profile , Research), as Solomon had alleged.
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Luckern's findings are subject to review by the full commission and could ultimately be appealed in federal court.
Solomon CEO Gary Brandt issued a statement saying company officials were disappointed and "will appeal the case aggressively."
Solomon Technologies, which makes electric power drive systems, filed a complaint with the panel last year saying the hybrid transmission in the vehicles infringed its patent related to motor and transmission systems.
If Solomon prevailed, Japan's top automaker could be banned from importing the systems and the Prius and Highlander hybrid models that they power.
In 2006, Toyota sold 191,742 hybrids in the United States, up from 146,560 in 2005, according to figures provided by the company. The 2006 sales include nearly 107,000 Prius hatchbacks, more than 31,000 hybrid Highlander sport utility vehicles, plus hybrid versions of the Toyota Camry, the Lexus RX and Lexus GS.
"When it comes to technological advances that it has pioneered, Toyota defends itself unremittingly," Toyota spokesman Xavier Dominicis said after Luckern's ruling.
Solomon also filed a patent infringement suit against Toyota in federal court in Florida in September 2005. That case was put on hold by the court pending the outcome of the International Trade Commission complaint.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articl...c=66&type=qcna
.... suprise suprise...
Administrative Law Judge Paul Luckern said the Prius and Highlander, and other Toyota hybrids, do not infringe a patent held by Florida-based Solomon Technologies Inc. (SOLM.OB: Quote, Profile , Research), as Solomon had alleged.
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Luckern's findings are subject to review by the full commission and could ultimately be appealed in federal court.
Solomon CEO Gary Brandt issued a statement saying company officials were disappointed and "will appeal the case aggressively."
Solomon Technologies, which makes electric power drive systems, filed a complaint with the panel last year saying the hybrid transmission in the vehicles infringed its patent related to motor and transmission systems.
If Solomon prevailed, Japan's top automaker could be banned from importing the systems and the Prius and Highlander hybrid models that they power.
In 2006, Toyota sold 191,742 hybrids in the United States, up from 146,560 in 2005, according to figures provided by the company. The 2006 sales include nearly 107,000 Prius hatchbacks, more than 31,000 hybrid Highlander sport utility vehicles, plus hybrid versions of the Toyota Camry, the Lexus RX and Lexus GS.
"When it comes to technological advances that it has pioneered, Toyota defends itself unremittingly," Toyota spokesman Xavier Dominicis said after Luckern's ruling.
Solomon also filed a patent infringement suit against Toyota in federal court in Florida in September 2005. That case was put on hold by the court pending the outcome of the International Trade Commission complaint.
http://today.reuters.com/news/articl...c=66&type=qcna
.... suprise suprise...
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I don't know if I'm happy about this ruling, could this be just another case of the bigger more powerful guy picking on the little guy and taking his lunch money and giving him a wedgy in court? Who knows.....
Last edited by mavericck; 02-15-07 at 11:25 AM.
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What about the possibility of a case of a frivolous lawsuit of the little guy trying to sue & get money from anybody that is rich ?
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How do you conclude it's even a legitimate claim of infringement in the first place ? (I admit I don't know the details of the patent & the legal issues behind it)
What about the possibility of a case of a frivolous lawsuit of the little guy trying to sue & get money from anybody that is rich ?
What about the possibility of a case of a frivolous lawsuit of the little guy trying to sue & get money from anybody that is rich ?
#10
How do you conclude it's even a legitimate claim of infringement in the first place ? (I admit I don't know the details of the patent & the legal issues behind it)
What about the possibility of a case of a frivolous lawsuit of the little guy trying to sue & get money from anybody that is rich ?
What about the possibility of a case of a frivolous lawsuit of the little guy trying to sue & get money from anybody that is rich ?
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I am slightly familiar with the case, and in short, Solomon had nothing substantial against Toyota. They made a very broad claim that a large part of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive infringed on certain patents they had. The truth of the matter is, Toyota hold many similar patents.
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I am slightly familiar with the case, and in short, Solomon had nothing substantial against Toyota. They made a very broad claim that a large part of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive infringed on certain patents they had. The truth of the matter is, Toyota hold many similar patents.
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lets say IF toyota did infringe on the patents and that solomon manages to get synergy system banned from import into the states, i will hate solomon for making us go backwards in terms of technological development and saving the planet
the fact that toyota has gone to court and has been fighting this suit for such a long time means that either theres something we dont know about, toyota did not steal it, or toyota stole it and thinks it has enough money in its pockets to drag this on and fight it out with their corporate lawyers
the fact that toyota has gone to court and has been fighting this suit for such a long time means that either theres something we dont know about, toyota did not steal it, or toyota stole it and thinks it has enough money in its pockets to drag this on and fight it out with their corporate lawyers
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