(openPR) - In April 2005, Antonov plc, the automotive technology company, filed an infringement action against Toyota at the Patent Court in Düsseldorf alleging infringement of its patents by the driveline of the Toyota Prius and Lexus RX400h. The Düsseldorf Court has recently received Toyota´s response to the Antonov suit. This response will be studied by Antonov´s lawyers. In addition, the Munich Federal Patent Court has set the hearing of Toyota´s counter suit regarding the validity of the Antonov patent for 23 August 2006. This is earlier than was originally expected.

It is anticipated that the infringement case in Düsseldorf will be concluded on 28 August 2006. As a result, a clear view of the strength of the Antonov case as judged by the German legal system will emerge before the end of August 2006. This fulfils the Company´s strategy of pursuing this action in Germany to facilitate a swift and cost effective legally-binding decision.

John Moore, CEO of Antonov, said:

"The Directors of Antonov are pleased at the speed at which events are proceeding and we remain confident in the strength of our case."


For further information, please contact:

Antonov plc
John Moore, Chief Executive +44 (0)1223 421 740

Dawnay, Day Corporate Finance Limited
Jonathan Garbett/Rod Venables +44 (0)20 7509 4570

Biddicks
Shane Dolan +44 (0)20 7448 1000


Patent details
The case relates to Antonov patent EP 0414782 and covers the use of a drivetrain which balances the drive from an engine and an electric motor with the load from a vehicle and a generator.


PDF version press release
hugin.info/132838/R/1034651/166944.pdf




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