Takata sues Delphi, GM in dispute over airbag patent

WILMINGTON, Del., Nov.16 Reuters reported that Takata Corp., a Japanese manufacturer of auto airbag covers, sued General Motors Corp. and Delphi Automotive Systems on Friday for alleged infringement of a 1992 Takata patent for a vehicle airbag.

In papers filed in the U.S. District Court in Delaware, Takata said that beginning in 1996 it had warned GM and Delphi, which until 1999 was a division of GM, about the alleged infringement.

The lawsuit claims that Delphi's sale of one-piece airbag covers to automaker GM is ``intentional and willful'' infringement because both companies had been warned by Takata.

Takata seeks a court order blocking further alleged infringement and an award of unspecified damages.

No one was immeditaley available at Delphi or GM to respond to calls made after hours.

The lawsuit claims that Delphi's sale of one-piece airbag covers to automaker GM is ``intentional and willful'' infringement because both companies had been warned by Takata.

Takata seeks a court order blocking further alleged infringement and an award of unspecified damages.

No one was immeditaley available at Delphi or GM to respond to calls made after hours.