[Biofuel] U.S. panel to open patent probe on Toyota hybrids - Feb. 10, 2006

Sat, 11 Feb 2006 16:55:21 -0800 

The last I heard of this, Ford, GM and Chrysler's hybrids were less
energy efficient than their  gas only US versions and they were forced
to use the Toyota hybrid algorithm that was the key to making the
hybrids more energy efficient than the gas only versions (along with
paying patent royalties).

I wonder if the Big 3 are behind today's news below!!!!

Mike


http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/10/news/international/toyota_patent.reut/index.htm
Title: U.S. panel to open patent probe on Toyota hybrids - Feb. 10, 2006
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U.S. to probe Toyota hybrid patents
Trade body to investigate whether automaker infringed on patent held by Solomon Technologies.
February 10, 2006: 10:28 AM EST

TOKYO (Reuters) - A U.S. trade body is to investigate a complaint that Toyota Motor Corp.'s popular Prius and Highlander hybrid models infringed a patent, according to the body's Web site.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will look at a claim that the patent is owned by Florida-based Solomon Technologies Inc., it said.

Toyota's Highlander hybrid
Toyota's Highlander hybrid

Toyota (up $0.78 to $103.29, Research) shares edged higher in morning trading in New York.

Solomon Technologies filed a complaint with the panel last month saying the hybrid transmission in the two popular vehicles infringed its patent related to motor and transmission systems.

If the ITC agrees with Solomon, Japan's top auto maker could be banned from importing the systems and the Prius and Highlander hybrid models that they power. The ITC said opening a case does not mean it has made any decision on the merits.

A Toyota spokesman said it cannot comment on ongoing cases.

In September, Solomon applied to a Florida federal district court for an injunction against Toyota barring infringement and damages for unauthorized use of its patented technologies.

Toyota sold 110,000 Prius models and 18,800 Highlander hybrid SUVs in North America last year.

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