Just when you thought Toyota was in the clear, litigation-wise, the Supreme Court let stand without comment an appeal by Toyota in a $4.3 million dollar lawsuit by Paice LLC of McLean, Virginia.
Last year, a federal appeals court also sided with Paice. Toyota appealed and has now lost in a patent infringement case affecting their hybrid synergy system.
Adding insult to injury, Toyota may have to start paying royalties to Paice at $25 for every Prius, Highlander Hybrid, and Lexus RX 400h sold.
The patent infringement occured in a microprocessor that accepts torque information from both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor. Toyota felt that Paice LLC was a 'patent litigation company' that held an 'obscure patent.'
The case was Toyota Motor vs. Paice, 07-1120.
Source: Bloomberg.com: Japan, Detroit News
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Toyota Loses $4.3 Million Patent Infringement Case: May Have to Pay Royalties
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