Toyota Accused of Violating Patented Digital Car Key Technology

Toyota Motor North America Inc. allegedly improperly used several patented technologies when it outfitted its Toyota and Lexus vehicles with electronic keys that let drivers remotely access and start their vehicles, according to a lawsuit in Texas federal court.

Patent-monetization company Emerging Automotive LLC accused Toyota, its parent company, and its US sales affiliate of infringing five patents in every vehicle equipped with remote connect or digital key features, according to a complaint filed Wednesday in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

Toyota began offering basic electronic car keys more than a decade ago. But most ...