Electronic Edison Sues BMW of North America on a Wireless Power Transfer Method Patent.

The complaint

The case is Electronic Edison Transmission Technologies, LLC v. BMW of North America, LLC, No. 2:26-cv-14003-JKS-ADS (D.N.J.), a 23-page original complaint for patent infringement filed in the Newark division on October 27, 2026. The plaintiff is Electronic Edison Transmission Technologies, LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company the complaint places in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The defendant is BMW of North America, LLC, which the complaint alleges, on information and belief, is organized under Delaware law and has a regular and established place of business in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. The complaint demands a jury.

Jurisdiction and venue

The complaint pleads subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. 1331 and 1338(a). It alleges, on information and belief, specific and general personal jurisdiction based on BMW's New Jersey business, including at least a portion of the alleged infringement at the Woodcliff Lake location, and venue under 28 U.S.C. 1400(b) because, on information and belief, BMW maintains a place of business in the district and has committed acts of infringement there.

The patent and claims

The complaint asserts U.S. Patent 9,448,603, Transferring Power to a Mobile Device, which issued September 20, 2016. It alleges Electronic Edison owns all rights, title, and interest in the patent, including the right to recover for past infringement. The prayer and infringement count are limited to claim 8; the complaint states it is asserting only a method claim and that marking under 35 U.S.C. 287(a) therefore does not apply.

U.S. Patent 9,448,603 covers methods for transferring power to a receptor mobile device from a donor mobile device. Claim 8 covers a method that configures a wireless power transfer mechanism on the receptor mobile device using a wireless receive application, determines a receptor power threshold using a wireless receive application, and receives power from the donor mobile device and converts received power into electric current using that mechanism, where the mechanism includes a power adapter having a coil, circuit elements to transfer power, and a capacitor to store electric charge that increases battery life when the capacitor is discharged.

The accused products

The complaint defines the Accused Instrumentality as BMW Wireless Charging. It alleges BMW vehicles include a Qi-compatible wireless charging tray that transfers power from the vehicle (treated as the donor mobile device with a battery) to a Qi-compatible smartphone placed on the pad (the receptor mobile device). It names 2 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series, 8 Series, i4, i5, i7, iX, X1, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, XM, and Z4 vehicles and cites a BMW USA FAQ page, a dealer web page, online videos, and Wireless Power Consortium Qi specification materials.

The infringement allegations

Count I alleges, upon information and belief, that BMW directly infringes claim 8, at least through use and/or testing, by performing the claimed method with BMW Wireless Charging. It also alleges, upon information and belief, induced and contributory infringement based on BMW providing the Accused Instrumentality to customers along with marketing and instructional materials, with knowledge alleged, on information and belief, at least as of the date the complaint is served.

The relief sought

The prayer asks for a judgment that claim 8 of the '603 patent was infringed, literally and/or under the doctrine of equivalents; an accounting and payment of all damages and costs caused by the alleged infringement; pre- and post-judgment interest; and other relief. The count alleges damages in an amount that by law cannot be less than a reasonable royalty, with interest and costs under 35 U.S.C. 284.

What to watch next

Watch for BMW's answer or Rule 12 motion.