Don't forget at the same time Jim Feuling who patented and licensed the 3-valve head had slapped a lawsuit against Daimler-Chrysler (DC).

My understanding is that DC went back to 4-valve heads in order NOT to pay the licenseing fees to Feuling.

Unfortunately, I did a GOOGLE search and could not find out the disposition of the case.

:-) neil

BTW: Jim passed away in 2002.

Here's the case taken from:

http://www.autointell-news.com/News-1999/july-1999/news_of_July-20-99-p4.htm

:-) neil
===============
News of July 20, 1999

Feuling Sues DaimlerChrysler AG

SAN DIEGO, July 16,1999 - Feuling Advanced Technologies today announced it is expanding its patent infringement lawsuit against Mercedes-Benz by adding DaimlerChrysler AG as a defendant in the case.

The Feuling action adds DaimlerChrysler AG to the federal action for infringement of the multiple Feuling patents on three-valve technology. Specifically, the suit involves over 360,000 Mercedes cars and SUVs sold in the United States since 1997. "We put Daimler on notice back in 1997, but it would appear that Daimler did not disclose this very serious issue to Chrysler Corporation and its stockholders prior to the merger." Jim Feuling, President, Feuling Advanced Technologies, stated, "Stuttgart's knowing and willful infringement of four United States patents places not only DaimlerChrysler at risk, but also its stockholders, dealers and customers. It's unfortunate that Daimler has chosen to ignore the integrity and authority of the United States Patent and Trademark Office."

Feuling has been a leading automotive engineering design firm for over 25 years with clients including Ford, General Motors and Harley Davidson.

=====================
taken from: http://www.mining.ubc.ca/ipmm/news/fuel/fuelcells.html

DaimlerChrysler Board Ignores Feuling Ad

DETROIT, Jan. 5, 2000 /PRNewswire/

Jim Feuling’s open letter to DaimlerChrysler's Board of Directors titled "A Call For Responsible Corporate Citizenship," published in Automotive News on August 2, received the Roper Starch Worldwide Inc top ranking for "readership among auto industry leaders." The ad received an index rating of 279 awareness points compared to second- highest ad, a Ford of Canada ad at 187. Compared to other advertisements in Automotive News, readers who saw the Feuling letter read the text of the entire ad. The special full-page ad was placed by Feuling Advanced Technologies, to attempt resolution of patent infringement by DaimlerChrysler. The German conglomerate has been using Feuling patented three-valve technology in the majority of its Mercedes-Benz passenger car and truck engines built since l997.

Jim Feuling stated, "To date we have not received a response from DaimlerChrysler’s Board of Directors. DaimlerChrysler continues to ignore the authority of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. They now have escalated the legal issue by introducing the new Mercedes Benz 5.5L V-8 and 5.8L V-12 engines that also utilize our patented three-valve technology. Stuttgart's bunker mentality and historic lack of respect for the rights and property of others is grossly apparent in the way they have handled this entire patent infringement matter."

Feuling added that his company has been overwhelmed with calls from consumers seeking information on the status of the DaimlerChrysler patent infringement lawsuit and in response, the company has created a new web site: www.mercedes-lawsuits.com . This site allows visitors to follow the progress of the three-valve lawsuit, along with other DaimlerChrysler lawsuits, as well as links to related sites.

Feuling estimated there are currently more than 500,000 Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the United States using the patented three-valve technology and noted that those vehicles could be subject to recall, for removal of the patented components.

"We expect the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to look into the fact that although we put Daimler on notice regarding the three-valve patent infringement issue back in 1997, Stuttgart did not disclose this very serious issue to the Chrysler Corporation and its stockholders prior to their merger," Feuling added. "It's obvious that Daimler likes our patented technology. It enables Mercedes-Benz to meet stringent new Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board emission standards while improving power and fuel economy."

Feuling Advanced Technologies holds four U. S. patents for three-valve cylinder head design in addition to more than 100 U.S. and foreign patents and trademarks. Feuling is a leading automotive design company with more than 25 years of experience with top OEMs including Ford, Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, OMC, Cessna, John Deere and Harley-Davidson.

SOURCE Feuling Advanced Technologies
CONTACT: Bruce MacDonald of MacDonald Communications,
248-647-1189, for Feuling Advanced Technologies; or Jim
Feuling of Feuling Advanced Technologies, 805-650-2598
Web site: http:// www.mercedes-lawsuits.com
Web site: http://www.feuling.com

UPDATE:

In 2003, the court ruled that disclose of previous lawsuits from Batten engine; possibly prior-art from the Batten engine and possibly Honda; combined with a misleading "small entity status"; made his patents for 3-valve heads un-enforceable:

DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG v. FEULING ADVANCED TECHS. | Leagle.com.

:-) neil