Patent Law Practice Center

Ford opens electric vehicle patents for licensing to competitors

Ford Motor Company has recently announced that it is offering competitors access to its electric vehicle (EV) technology patents, a move the company says is aimed at helping accelerate growth of industry-wide research and development of electrified vehicles.  Ford is also set to hire an additional 200 electrified vehicle engineers this year as the team moves into a newly dedicated facility – Ford Engineering Laboratories – home to Henry Ford’s first labs in Dearborn.

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The Week in Patents – New Patent Reform, Wii

This week was a busy week in the patent field. With summer in full swing and the end of the month coming, many were likely on vacation or working feverishly to close out the month.  So you might have missed a thing or two.  Understandable, but we have you you covered.  Here are three things from the week you might want to know about for your practice existence, and some interesting industry news to share at the dinner table with your kids so they don’t think patents are boring.

Congress Considers Weakening Design Patents in Auto Industry

The U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition, and the Internet held a hearing August 1, 2012, on H.R. 3889, the “Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade, and Sales Act” or PARTS Act, legislation introduced by Representatives Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.).

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