Nippon Steel sues Japan business partner Toyota over patent

By YURI KAGEYAMA
AP Business Writer

TOKYO (AP) — Nippon Steel Corp. is suing Toyota Motor Corp. over a patent for a technology used in electric motors in a rare case of legal wrangling between Japan’s top steelmaker and automaker over intellectual property. Nippon Steel filed the lawsuit in Tokyo District Court, demanding compensation for damages totaling 20 billion yen ($177 million). Also named in the lawsuit is Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., or Baosteel, a Chinese steelmaker. Toyota said it learned of the lawsuit “with great regret.” Baosteel said it will defend itself against the claims. The patent is critical for electric motors used in ecological models.