Toyota's Highlander hybrid

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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 (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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AveMaria Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote AveMaria Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Toyota's Highlander hybrid Posted: 10 Feb 2006 at 3:59pm
	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 (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.

Wagonman Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wagonman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Feb 2006 at 4:32pm
	quote: Originally posted by AveMaria [br]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 If this is true Toyota will just license the patent. It is becoming harder and harder for patent holders to stop a product that infringes. There is a big Supreme Court case coming up that deals with automatic injunctions for patent holders and big companies keep throwing gobs of money at Congress to change the patent laws to benefit them so they don't have to worry about a whole product being illegal over one patent on one little aspect of the product. Forced licensing is one part that big companies would love to see. So much for the "the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries" language of the Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution.

SillyBilly Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote SillyBilly Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 Feb 2006 at 11:31am
	I hear they are trying hybrid hummers?