Tokyo District Court, Reiwa 5 (Wa) 70079 [Vehicle guidance system] <Presiding Judge Kokubun>
Updated: Oct 3
Article information
Article type: Case note
Category: Patents
Issues: Claim interpretation
First published on this website: 2026-10-03
Court: Tokyo District Court
Case number: Reiwa 5 (Wa) 70079
Display and classification checked: 2026-10-03
Tokyo District Court, Reiwa 5 (Wa) 70079 [Vehicle guidance system] <Presiding Judge Kokubun>
* Patent infringement found.
⇒ Reversed on appeal: claim elements not satisfied.
Regarding element A (a system guiding vehicles entering or exiting through an ETC-vehicle-only entrance/exit), the court essentially found that, at a smart interchange (SIC), guiding vehicles seeking to use an ETC-only entrance/exit into the entry/exit route (lane c) or exit/general-road route (lane d) through barrier operation and displays satisfied the element.
Element F (guidance means, etc.) and the other elements were also found satisfied.
(Excerpt from the judgment, translated)
The defendant's systems guide vehicles seeking to pass through an ETC-only entrance into a toll plaza, service area, etc., or through an ETC-only exit out of such a location, into either lane c or lane d using the respective vehicle-start control devices and roadside display ⑧. They therefore qualify as a “system guiding vehicles entering or exiting through an ETC-vehicle-only entrance/exit.”
Update history
Update history is maintained by adding entries.
2026-10-03: First published on this website; classification, article information, and consultation guide were set.
Comments