Nippon Steel sues Japan business partner Toyota over patent


PTI, Oct 16, 2021, 9:31 AM IST

Nippon Steel Corp. is suing Toyota Motor Corp. over a patent for a technology used in electric motors in a rare case of legal wrangling between Japan’s top steelmaker and a top automaker over intellectual property. Tokyo-based Nippon Steel filed the lawsuit Thursday in Tokyo District Court, demanding compensation for damages totaling 20 billion yen ($177 million). Also named in the lawsuit is Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., or Baosteel, a Chinese steelmaker that produces and supplies the steel that allegedly violates the patent.

Toyota said it learned of the lawsuit “with great regret,” stressing it had checked on possible patent conflicts with Baosteel. Toyota sees Nippon Steel as an “important business partner,” supporting the Japanese auto industry for years, the maker of the Prius hybrid and Lexus luxury models said in a statement. At the center of the lawsuit is the Japanese patent for non-oriented electrical steel sheets, an indispensable component in electric motors used in EVs, power plants, and mobile phones, according to Nippon Steel.

Nippon Steel officials said its prized technology is critical to its competitiveness, as the world shifts to “a carbon-neutral society” and innovations that reduce emissions are increasingly needed in steel manufacturing.

Nippon Steel is also demanding a court injunction against Toyota from manufacturing and selling vehicles in Japan EVs equipped with motors using the steel sheets suspected of violating its patent. That would include its hybrid models. Nippon Steel said there is no change to its plans to continue working with Toyota overall. Baosteel did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Incentive fund for SC/ST students of national institutes increased, says Minister Mahadevappa

Terminal 2 of Bengaluru airport gets 4,000 sqft hydroponic green wall

Waqf properties row: JPC Chairman receives over 500 petitions from aggrieved farmers in Karnataka

Asaduddin Owaisi questions Waqf Bill JPC Chairman’s Karnataka visit

Kinnigoli: Truck carrying red stone collides with Auto-Rickshaw; driver injured

UP govt to install 150,000 toilets for Maha Kumbh, set up paying guest facilities

Kavoor Police arrest two notorious cattle thieves

Related Articles More

Hero MotoCorp looks to scale up EV biz, lines up new models

Royal Enfield forays into electric bike segment; unveils first model under Flying Flea brand

Maruti Suzuki looks to cash in on ‘few lakh marriages’ in Nov to carry festive sales momentum

Auto sales grow in mid-to-high single digits during Navratras, rural sales muted: Report

Car makers witness record sales on Dhanteras; Oct bookings up by 30%

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

Karkala: Sr Donalda Pais, headmistress of Arunodaya Special School, passes away

Incentive fund for SC/ST students of national institutes increased, says Minister Mahadevappa

K’taka govt prohibits staff from smoking, consuming tobacco products inside offices

Terminal 2 of Bengaluru airport gets 4,000 sqft hydroponic green wall

Waqf properties row: JPC Chairman receives over 500 petitions from aggrieved farmers in Karnataka

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.