Hyundai Accused of Car “Infotainment” Patent Infringement

Hyundai has been accused of infringing two patents owned by Dale Progress Ltd. (“Dale”) that relate to Hyundai’s built-in “infotainment” console in its vehicles. The complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division.

The first of these patents, titled “Remote Resource Access Interface Apparatus”, provides for, among other things, a remote resource access interface apparatus comprising a touch input detection unit which generates touch position information on a display screen, a communication unit which receives supportable key information from a device, and a video output unit which displays visual information. The second of the patents, titled identically to the first, provides for, among other things, a method by which compatibility with a portable device in order to establish a connection can be determined. This would allow the transmission of video information between devices.

In addition to a trial by jury, Dale is seeking a permanent injunction as against Hyundai, damages for the alleged acts of infringement, and, in the event the infringement was wilful as of, at the latest, the time at which Dale filed its original complaint, treble damages.