TARPON SPRINGS, Fla., Sept. 19, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Solomon Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:SOLM) announced today that it has expanded its patent infringement case against Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) and certain of its affiliates, for infringement of Solomon's Electric Wheel(tm) technology patent to include the Camry Hybrid and the Lexus RX400h. Solomon has previously alleged that the Hybrid Synergy Drive(r) system installed in vehicles manufactured and imported by Toyota, such as the Prius and Highlander, infringes a number of claims contained in its U.S. Patent No. 5,067,932. As a result of additional investigation into other vehicles manufactured and imported by Toyota, Solomon has determined that the Camry Hybrid and the Lexus RX400h incorporate the same Hybrid Synergy Drive(r) system and therefore also infringe the patent.
Solomon President Peter W. DeVecchis, Jr. said, "Over the course of the last five months we have determined that the use of our technology by Toyota is substantially more widespread than initially believed. We have, therefore, expanded our claims at the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) to include the Camry, Highlander and Lexus. The inclusion of our patented technology in additional Toyota vehicles reinforces our commitment to pursue this matter aggressively. The hearing is scheduled to begin on October 30, 2006."
As previously announced, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. represents Solomon in its pending claims against Toyota. Solomon brought suit against Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. and Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, on September 12, 2005, claiming infringement of a number of claims in Solomon's U.S. Patent Number 5,067,932, primarily relating to Toyota's use of the Hybrid Synergy Drive technology in its Prius and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. On January 11, 2006, Solomon filed an additional complaint against Toyota with the ITC seeking to exclude importation of the infringing technology. The action against Toyota and its affiliates in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division, has been stayed pending resolution of the ITC action.
If Solomon is successful in its ITC action, 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, and now the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the prodigy of the best selling mid-size car in the U.S. market, and the Lexus RX400h.
Information about Solomon Technologies, Inc.:
Solomon Technologies, Inc. develops, licenses, manufactures and sells electric power drive systems, including those incorporating hybrid and regenerative technologies incorporating Solomon's patented Electric Wheel(tm) and Electric Transaxle(tm), for marine, commercial, automotive, hybrid and all electric vehicle applications.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements regarding Solomon Technologies, Inc. in this release that are not historical in nature, particularly those that utilize the terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "likely," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "believes," or "plans," or comparable terminology, are forward-looking statements based on current expectations about future events, which management has derived from the information currently available to it. It is possible that the assumptions made by management for purposes of such statements may not materialize. Actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward-looking statements. Important factors known to management that could cause forward-looking statements to turn out to be incorrect are identified and discussed from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this release speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to correct or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.