Ford, GM and Honda hit by patent lawsuits

Motor companies Ford, General Motors (GM) and Honda have been struck by patent infringement lawsuits by Texas-based Jakuta Diodes.

The filings were made to the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Tyler Division, on Wednesday, September 21.

Jakuta alleged that the motor companies had infringed US patent number 6,079,854, which concerns a device and method for diffusing light.

The suits claimed that the defendants are infringing Jakuta’s patent by making and selling motor vehicles that include LED headlamps.

Some of the allegedly infringing products include crystal diamond light headlights sold by Ford in its Ford F-150, GT and Fusion line of automobiles, and the advance forward lighting feature sold by GM in its Cadillac Escalade vehicle line.

“Plaintiff has been, and will continue to be, irreparably harmed by defendant’s ongoing infringement of the ‘854 patent,” said the suits.

Jakuta is seeking a jury trial and an order for damages, costs, expenses, and pre-judgment and post-judgment interest for the infringement.