U.S. Trade Panel Begin Probe into Toyota's Alleged Patent Violation

Tokyo February 14, 2006; Reuters reported that the U.S. International Trade Commission has decided to begin an investigation into alleged patent infringement by Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. and its U.S subsidiaries over hybrid vehicles, according to the ITC.

The probe is based on a complaint filed in January by Florida-based Solomon Technologies Inc. The complaint alleges Toyota is infringing its patent of combination motor and transmission systems and devices that are used in electrically powered vehicles and hybrid automobiles powered by both electricity and gasoline.

The U.S. firm requested the ITC to order Toyota and its subsidiaries to exclude its patented systems and devices from their products, and cease imports and sale in the United States of the systems and devices and vehicles that contain them.

The trade panel accepted the complaint and voted to institute the probe involving the Japanese parent firm, Kentucky-based Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America Inc. and California-based Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc., according to an ITC ruling issued last Wednesday.

"The ITC has not made any decision on the merits of the case," the commission said, noting that it will set a target date within 45 days for completing the probe.