Report: Hyundai, Kia sued by Toyota in patent fight over hybrid-engine tech

Paice LLC, along with its non-profit investor Abell Foundation, filed a suit against Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. for the infringement of three patents in a Baltimore federal court Thursday.

Alex Severinsky, founder of Paice, created method of powering gas-electric vehicles using high-voltage back in the 1990’s, which he says is the foundation of current hybrid technology.

Paice LLC was previously in an eight-year long series of legal battles which settled in 2010, with Toyota Motor Corp. due to a discrepancy over hybrid-engine technology, as well. Ford Motor Co. has also been involved in the same matter with Paice, however the automaker settled by licensing the technology.

The two models in particular are involved in the suit, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and the Kia Optima Hybrid, both of which share powertrain technology. Paice’s complaint states “Since as early as 2004, Paice has contacted Hyundai on numerous occasions and offered to discuss its patented hybrid technology.”

An order to stop any more use of Paice’s technology, along with monetary compensation, is being requested in the suit.

– By: Alexandra Koken

Source: AutoNews