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Old 09-20-2006, 02:38 PM
leahbeatle leahbeatle is offline
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Real Name: Leah
Location: Chicago area
Hybrids: Honda Civic Hybrid 2005
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Default Re: U.S. to open patent probe on Toyota hybrids

Although the theoretical consequence of a patent infringement finding could be the ban of the cars from the US, the practical result would be a very expensive settlement with the patent holder (whomever that is) in the form of a license. In other words, Toyota would pay to license the patent for use in its existing vehicles (and probably back payments for past sales of machines that used the patent). I personally have never heard of this claim before and have no idea if there's any merit to it whatsoever, but I just wanted to let everyone know that it is unlikely to affect the availability of the vehicles in question in the US.

p.s. It may, however, affect their prices, if the finding goes against Toyota. I am just speculating, however.

Last edited by leahbeatle; 09-20-2006 at 02:39 PM. Reason: add p.s.
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