TARPON SPRINGS, Fla., Jan. 11, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Solomon Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:SOLM) announced today that it has been notified by the Administrative Law Judge at the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) that the deadline for the initial determination in Solomon's patent infringement case against Toyota Motor Corporation and some of it's affiliates has been extended. In an order issued by Judge Luckern on January 10, 2007 Judge Luckern cited the reasons for the extension as a time constraint created by the commencement of an evidentiary hearing in an other case on January 17th, a final determination in an unrelated matter issued on December 20th and the Christmas Holidays. The order noted that "any final initial determination on violation should be filed no later than February 13, 2007."
Solomon President Peter W. DeVecchis, Jr., said, "While we were anticipating an initial decision in January, we are not surprised that the circumstances of the judge's schedule have created a delay. We remain confident in the strength of our case and look forward to the decision."
As previously announced, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. represents Solomon in its pending action 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 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.
The ITC Administrative Law Judge is now expected to issue his initial determination on or before February 13, 2007. If Solomon is successful in its ITC action, Toyota could be prohibited from importing into the United States any vehicle that utilizes the infringing combination motor and transmission systems including the Prius and Highlander models, the 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., through its Motive Power and Power Electronics divisions, develops, licenses, manufactures and sells precision electric power drive systems, including those utilizing its patented Electric Wheel(tm), Electric Transaxle(tm) and hybrid and regenerative technologies as well as direct current power supplies and power supply systems requiring high levels of reliability and ruggedness for defense, aerospace, 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.