Stupid patent infringement claim against Toyota

[Rallyroo]

A technology company is taking aim at Toyota, saying that the company's gas-electric hybrid Prius and Highlander vehicles infringe on its U.S. patents. Solomon Technologies, Inc. announced today that it has expanded its litigation against Toyota by filing a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) in Washington D.C.

Toyota could be prohibited from importing into the United States infringing combination motor and transmission systems and those products containing such systems, including the Toyota Prius and Highlander models.

Rest of story here
http://www.autoserviceworld.com/issu...issue=01112006

[RANT]
I am so sick of companies that do nothing except patent their so claimed intellectual property (these companies don't even produce a product) and having lawyers sue the crap out of other companies.

Some things don't deserved to get patents. Example: A company has the patent on the "shopping cart" used in e-commerce. For christ sakes, it's a common business practice. I know, I'll patent water or some crap like that.

Some patents stifle innovation cause the company that owns those patents don't build crap and wait until some other company builds it, then sues the crap out of them.
[/RANT]

And another thing, why didn't Soloman Tech sue when the Prius first came out? Why'd the company wait so long? Because Soloman Tech wants to make $$$$$$$ off the case.

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[Balishag]

this wouldnt be the first time this happened in america. but dude, f**ked up lawsuits happen all the time, i dont kno why this one in particular got ur blood boilin. read up on the microsoft vs ipod article, that one will probably make ur head spin

[LinuxGuy]

Originally Posted by Rallyroo

And another thing, why didn't Soloman Tech sue when the Prius first came out? Why'd the company wait so long? Because Soloman Tech wants to make $$$$$$$ off the case.

Solomon probably already knew what was going on when the technology was appearing in the Prius. It takes time (I would Imagine 1-2 years) to put things together to bring to the courts to prove that Toyota is infringing on there patent, If anything shame on Toyota’s patent attorney(s).

[BonesXMahones]

What's worse is some companies actully have patents on specific genes in our DNA. Now you should be able to do whatever you want with your own genes, but according to certian patents you can't. Things just get more rediculous everyday.

[Rallyroo]

Now that you mention DNA I remember that case involving a farmer that grows wheat. Well, there is a genetic research company with land next door that is growning wheat also, except they're growing genetically modified wheat. The genetic company discovers that the farmer has the modified wheat on his property and sues him.

Farmer says, what do you want me to do? Build a super greenhouse to cover my land so that the pollen from the genetic company's genetically modified wheat doesn't carry into the farmer land pollening his unmodified wheat?

[scott_gunn]

We were already discussing this in the non-Subaru thread since, after all, this has nothing to do with Subaru. We really need a seperate forum for these things!

I remember a lawsuit against the State of Mississippi because some broad, walking through a State Forest, tripped on a tree root and broke her hip. Ridiculous!

[Jon [in CT]]

Originally Posted by LinuxGuy

If anything shame on Toyota’s patent attorney(s).

Toyota's patent attorneys are probably experts in this particular field. According to an October 5, 2005 NY Times article:

... they [Toyota] started working on a ''21st century vehicle'' in 1994. But they certainly realized that a more fuel-efficient car might be one way to succeed in a competitive market. They dedicated the resources and rolled out their first hybrid in 1997. The company spent a reported $800 million developing the Prius, ending up with roughly 650 patents on the technology.

I'm sure that Toyota's patent attorneys bumped into US patent 5,067,932, awarded in 1991, while researching their own patent applications. Toyota likely believes it isn't infringing.

[Mike Wevrick]

Smuckers tried to patent crustless pb&j sandwiches http://patentlaw.typepad.com/patent/...en_rejoic.html

[Hondaslayer]

Originally Posted by scott_gunn

We really need a seperate forum for these things!

You mean like the Off Topic forum???

[Rallyroo]

Well, I figure since Toyota now has a 10% stake in Subaru shares, there is at least some connection between the two automotive companies.

[WERM]

Originally Posted by BonesXMahones

What's worse is some companies actully have patents on specific genes in our DNA. Now you should be able to do whatever you want with your own genes, but according to certian patents you can't. Things just get more rediculous everyday.

...well that and they let them patent a discovery as opposed to an actual invention.