TomTom sues Toyota navigation company

TomTom, the Dutch navigation device maker, has filed a patent suit in the US against Aisin AW, a member of the Toyota group of companies, alleging that it has violated four patents for car navigation systems.

TomTom’s patents cover inventions relating to the identification of highway access ramps, intersection maneuvers, route determinations and computer implementation in guidance devices.

TomTom wants damages for lost royalties, alleging that Aisin willfully infringed the patents, and its legal costs. TomTom has also requested an injunction to stop the alleged infringement by Aisin, AW Tech and their affiliates. Aisin’s navigation systems are used in Toyota, Scion, GM and Audi cars in North America.

Last November, TomTom settled a patent infringement lawsuit brought by Garmin (see: Garmin gives TomTom clear run at Tele Atlas).

18 February 2008