Stop selling the Toyota Prius and Toyota Highlander hybrids?

Solomon Technologies, Inc. has filed a lawsuit against Toyota for patent infringement that seeks to stop Toyota from selling the Toyota Prius hybrid and the Toyota Highlander hybrid in the United States.

Thus far, for legal reasons, Toyota is not commenting on the case.

Still, it is kind of interesting that Solomon Technologies, Inc. didn't file a lawsuit against Toyota until September of 2005. They didn't realize their patent was being illegally used until then? Moreover, the Solomon site claims that its technology is used not only in Toyota hybrids, but also in the Ford Escape hybrid and the Honda Accord hybrid.

Is Honda or Ford paying Solomon?

Since Ford and Toyota negotiated on hybrid patents, it seems odd that Solomon's 'proprietary' patent could have been missed if Solomon and Ford have a relationship. If they don't have a relationship, why does the lawsuit only name Toyota?

On the face of it, this case seems derived to drive publicity to Solomon, but that is only my gut feeling. When I researched this company's stock and some other corporate information, I noticed that all questions were referred to the President of the company, which made me wonder if there are any other corporate officers in this company.

If an investor thought that Solomon had a case and that Solomon would eventually obtain a bucket of cash from Toyota, maybe a small stock purchase would be worthwhile? Is that Solomon's game? Again, I am just speculating.

Of course, on the contrary, Solomon could have a case, and what would happen to hybrid cars if Solomon wins?