Ford Sued Over Patent Infringement

The Ford Motor Company has just been dragged in a lawsuit in federal court in Tacoma, Washington, by Eagle Harbor Holdings, LLC and its subsidiary and exclusive licensee, MediusTech, LLC. The problem is with infringement of Eagle Harbor's patents, which relate to several automotive technologies that are being used without authorization in Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles.

The lawsuit charges that Ford has used and continues to use the companies' patented technology in multiple vehicle systems, including SYNC, Active Park Assist, Blind-Spot Identification System with Cross Traffic Alert, Integrated Control System for Stability Control, and MyKey.

"Our representatives began meeting with Ford in 2002 to discuss and disclose our patented automotive systems technology and its applicability for use in Ford vehicles," said Jeffrey Harmes, general counsel for Eagle Harbor Holdings, LLC. "These meetings continued until 2008, when Ford stopped communications with us.  In early 2009 we informed Ford that its automotive audio systems infringed on our patents.”

“In March 2010, we again informed Ford that its automotive electronics systems, including Ford SYNC, infringed on our patents,” continued Harmes. ”Unfortunately, despite our many efforts to communicate with Ford and resolve these issues, Ford continues to refuse to license its use of our patented technology.  Ford is ignoring our patent rights and continues to use, without permission or license, Eagle Harbor's technology."

“Allowing companies like Ford to ignore patent protections and profit from incorporating the technologies of others into Ford products without their permission can stifle innovations like Eagle Harbor's that have been designed to improve vehicle safety and integrate automotive technologies into a seamless system," concluded Harmes.