Toyota investigated in patent infringement case

According to a Reuters, Toyota is being investigated by the US International Trade Commission in a complaint made by Florida based Solomon Technologies, Inc. Solomon Technologies filed a complaint against Toyota for infringing on a patent it holds related to motor and transmission systems.

While this sort of patent infringement cases are common in law, the results could be devastating to Toyota's import of hybrid vehicles (including the Prius and Highlander). If the ITC rules against Toyota, the motor and transmission under scrutiny would be banned from being imported into the US. Of course, that means the cars they come in would not be allowed, either.

Chances are good that nothing so serious would come of this matter, as such cases are usually settled out of court.

Tags: hybrid, toyota, solomon technologies, patent, law