Ford Sued Over Patent Infringement on EcoBoost F-150

Ford has been smacked with a lawsuit from Philadelphia company TMC Fuel Injection System over the fuel-injection system used in the EcoBoost F-150.

According to TMC, Ford was in discussion with the engineer Shou L. Hou, in 2004 about a direct injection system that increases performance and mileage significantly. Ford declined to use the system and professed a lack of interest in 2008, but clearly, they’ve implemented fuel injection in the EcoBoost F-150. Mr. Hou says that the system they’re using is his design.

Ford has yet to issue a statement in response to the lawsuit, but we imagine they will in the near future. The EcoBoost F-150 has been a huge boon for Ford. But if the injection system turns out to be a patent protected part, there no doubt it’ll be a costly misstep. TMC claims the infringment is willful and deliberate, and seeks a halt to any infringement, plus compensation and triple damages.

Yikes. We’ll keep you posted when we hear a response from Ford.