WASHINGTON, D.C. – A patent infringement lawsuit filed on behalf of hybrid vehicle pioneer Paice LLC by the law firms of McKool Smith and Fish & Richardson has been resolved in a settlement negotiated with Toyota Motor Corp.
Under the terms of the settlement announced July 19, 2010, Paice and Toyota agreed to drop claims between the two companies over a Paice patent for hybrid vehicle technology. In addition to dismissing lawsuits between the companies in Texas, the settlement also resolves a pending hearing before the International Trade Commission. The terms of the settlement are confidential.
McKool Smith principal Samuel Baxter represented Paice along with Ruffin Cordell of Fish & Richardson.
The Paice patent, U.S. Patent No. 5,343,970, covers a method of supplying torque to a vehicle’s wheels from both an electric motor and internal combustion engine using a combination of high voltage and low current.
The ITC case is In the Matter of Hybrid Electric Vehicles, No. 337-669. The Texas cases are Paice LLC v. Toyota Motor Corp., 04-cv-211; 07cv180; and 08-cv-261.
With more than 130 litigators working as an integrated team across offices in New York, Washington, D.C. and Texas, McKool Smith has established a reputation as one of America’s leading trial firms. The firm has been recognized by The National Law Journal and VerdictSearch for winning more Top 100 verdicts than any other U.S. law firm during the past three years. McKool Smith represents leading clients across a broad range of practice areas, including complex commercial litigation, intellectual property, bankruptcy, and white collar defense.