Toyota Prius Faces Ban Due to US Patent Suit

by Jaymi Heimbuch

Paice, a company that develops hybrid electric power train technology, has filed a patent infringement case against Toyota (yet again), saying that the company is using Paice's technology in the Prius and two other hybrid vehicles. Should Paice win, it could spell the death of certain vehicle imports, possibly including the green icon Prius.

According to Sam Eaton in an article from Marketplace, Paice claims Toyota's new Prius, hybrid Camry and two Lexus models are using technology Paice created. Back in 2005, the company won a claim against Toyota for this very infringement. That claim cost Toyota a whopping $4.3 million - $25 for every Prius, Highlander and Lexus RX400h sold using the disputed technology. It says Toyota is again using the same technology, and therefore has a fighting chance for this claim.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/09/toyota-prius-faces-ban-due-to-us-patent-suit.php