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Ford fights back against patent trolls

Some people are just awful. Some organizations are just as awful. And when those people join those organizations, we get stories like this one, where Ford has spent the past several years combatting so-called patent trolls. According to Automotive News, these malicious organizations have filed over a dozen lawsuits against the company since 2012. They work by purchasing patents, only to later accuse companies of misusing intellectual property, despite the fact that the so-called patent assertion companies never actually, you know, do anything with said intellectual property. AN reports that both Hyundai and Toyota have been victimized by these companies, with the former forced to pay $11.5 million to a company called Clear With Computers. Toyota, meanwhile, settled with Paice LLC, over its hybrid tech. The world's largest automaker agreed to pay $5 million, on top of $98 for every hybrid it sold (if the terms of the deal included each of the roughly 1.5 million hybrids Toyota sold since 2000, the company would have owed $147 million). Including the previous couple of examples, AN reports 107 suits were filed against automakers last year alone. But Ford is taking action to prevent further troubles... kind of. The company has signed on with a firm called RPX, in what sounds strangely like a protection racket. Automakers like Ford pay RPX around $1.5 million each year for access to its catalog of patents, which it spent nearly $1 billion building. "We take the protection and licensing of patented innovations very seriously," Ford told AN via email. "And as many smart businesses are doing, we are taking proactive steps to protect against those seeking patent infringement litigation." What are your thoughts on this? Should this patent business be better managed? Is it reasonable that companies purchase patents only to file suit against the companies that build actual products? Have your say in Comments.

Renault, Nissan and Hyundai face shutdowns in India over workers' COVID fears

CHENNAI, India — Automakers Renault, its alliance partner Nissan and Hyundai face temporary factory closures in India due to growing unrest among workers concerned about rising COVID-19 infections. Workers at Renault-Nissan's car plant in the southern state of Tamil Nadu will go on strike on Wednesday because their COVID-related safety demands have not been met, a union representing the workers told the company in a letter on Monday. Hyundai said it would suspend operations at its plant, also in Tamil Nadu, for five days starting Tuesday, after several workers staged a brief, sit-in protest on Monday amid rising cases in the state. "The management agreed to close the plant after workers expressed concerns over safety after two employees succumbed to COVID," E. Muthukumar, president of the Hyundai Motor India Employees Union, told Reuters. The unrest highlights the challenges companies face in India amid a huge wave of COVID-19 infections, an overwhelmed health system and a shortage of vaccines which is making employees more fearful. Tamil Nadu is one of the worst hit states with more than 30,000 cases a day last week. The state, an auto hub known as India's Detroit, has imposed a lockdown until May 31 but allowed some factories, including auto plants, to continue operating. The strike threat at the Renault-Nissan plant came ahead of a court hearing on Monday over allegations from workers that social distancing norms were being flouted and factory health policies did not sufficiently address the risk to lives. Renault-Nissan has said it is following COVID-19 safety protocols. At the hearing, a lawyer for the workers argued that while the company had reduced the number of shifts, production numbers had not been cut and the headcount remained the same leading to crowding on the factory floor. The company told the court it had reduced the workforce to around 5,000 from 8,000. It also said it had vaccinated employees over 45 and was willing to inoculate those under 45 if vaccines were made available. The two-judge bench presiding over the case said that while the health of workers is paramount, if industries go down there will be no place for them to work. They also said the company must not take advantage of the exemption granted by the state and should reduce production to meet only necessary export orders. "The production should have fallen ... You also have to assuage the feeling of the workers," said the court, which will next hear the case on May 31.

Hyundai sketches Ioniq ahead of debut this month

Hyundai has an altogether new model coming soon. It's called the Ioniq, and it'll be a dedicated electrified vehicle with a choice of three powertrain options. The automaker is set to take the wraps off later this month in Korea, but before it does, it's giving us another advance look at the design. As we've seen from previous teasers and spy shots, the Ioniq is slated to blend elements from Hyundai's own design language with a form that ought to closely resemble, in abstract at least, those of rivals like the Chevy Volt and Toyota Prius. That means an aerodynamic shape ending with a high tail to get the most out of its powertrain. The interior promises to be both futuristic and comfortable. Underneath it all is a new platform developed specifically for the Ioniq and three levels of electrification. There'll be a gasoline-electric hybrid version, a plug-in hybrid, and a full EV. We should get out first look up close at the Ioniq at the Geneva Motor Show and New York Auto Show in March, following its reveal in Korea within weeks from now. But even before it's unveiled, Hyundai is already taking pre-orders in certain markets. HYUNDAI MOTOR REVEALS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR RENDERINGS OF NEW IONIQ - New renderings reveal further innovations for the alternatively fueled IONIQ - Cutting-edge technology delivers class-leading aerodynamics and fuel efficiency - IONIQ introduces unique new vehicle design with three responsive powertrains - Pre-orders now being accepted in domestic market for the IONIQ, released later in 2016 January 5, 2016 – Hyundai Motor has revealed further details of the new IONIQ ahead of its launch in Korea later this month. The innovative alternative-fuel compact vehicle, now available for pre-order in selected markets, is the first-ever car to offer a choice of three efficient and ultra-low emission powertrain options in one body type. The latest interior and exterior renderings reveal more of the IONIQ's eco-friendly credentials, with its advanced powertrain technology central to Hyundai Motor's aim for the world's best hybrid fuel-efficiency. The newly-developed platform, available with full electric, plug-in petrol / electric hybrid, or petrol / electric hybrid powertrains, also delivers a fun and responsive driving experience to match the emotional appeal of the car'seye-catching lines. The exterior of the IONIQ features a distinguished, cutting-edge aerodynamic design.