[By NBC-1TV E. H Kim]Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. (EDI), a global leader in advanced, high-efficiency HEV, PHEV, and CVT solutions, today announced that EDI and Toyota Motor Corp. (Toyota) have resolved a dispute regarding a portfolio of patents owned by the University of California (UC), which originates from the work of Dr. Andrew A. Frank, Ph. D., at the University of California-Davis (the Frank/UC Portfolio).
Dr. Frank is a co-founder of EDI, the exclusive licensee to the Frank/UC Portfolio.
On July 20, 2011, Toyota filed a federal declaratory judgment action against EDI in San Jose, California, seeking certain relief regarding the Frank/UC Portfolio, styled as Toyota Motor Corp. v. Efficient Drivetrains Inc. and the Regents of the University of California, File No. 11-cv-03570. That case has now been voluntarily dismissed in view of the settlement.
The terms of the agreement are confidential, but it includes an amicable resolution of all disputes related to the Frank/UC Patent Portfolio, and provides Toyota with freedom to operate.
“EDI is happy that this case has now been resolved,” said Joerg Ferchau, CEO of EDI. “We look forward to continuing our work in the green vehicle industry. We are excited about the future of fuel-efficient technologies.”