Electronic Edison Sues General Motors Over In-Vehicle Wireless Phone Charging on a Power Transfer Method Patent.

The complaint

Electronic Edison Transmission Technologies, LLC v. General Motors LLC, No. 2:26-cv-00951 (E.D. Tex., Marshall Division), is a 23-page original complaint for patent infringement filed October 22, 2026, ECF No. 1, with a jury demand. The complaint describes the plaintiff as a Wyoming limited liability company in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and alleges, on information and belief, that General Motors LLC is organized under Delaware law with a regular and established place of business in Roanoke, Texas. It pleads venue under 28 U.S.C. § 1400(b), alleging on information and belief that General Motors has committed at least a portion of the alleged infringement from and within the district.

The patent and claim

U.S. Patent 9,448,603, titled "Transferring Power to a Mobile Device," issued September 20, 2016. The complaint alleges Electronic Edison is the assignee of all right, title, and interest in the patent. Claim 8 recites a method for transferring power to a receptor mobile device from a donor mobile device having a battery, comprising configuring a wireless power transfer mechanism on the receptor mobile device using a wireless receive application; determining a receptor power threshold using a wireless receive application; and receiving power from the donor mobile device and converting received power into electric current using the wireless power transfer mechanism, wherein 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.

What the complaint alleges

Count I alleges, upon information and belief, that General Motors directly infringes claim 8 at least through use and/or testing of GM Wireless Charging, the Accused Instrumentality (paragraph 14). Using the Buick Enclave as the example, it describes the vehicle as the donor mobile device and a Qi-compatible smartphone placed on the in-vehicle charging pad as the receptor mobile device, and relies on Buick and GM owner materials and the Qi specification. A footnote lists other Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC models it says infringe in a similar way. The count also alleges, upon information and belief, induced and contributory infringement through General Motors providing the Accused Instrumentality and marketing materials to customers, with knowledge alleged at least as of service of the original complaint (paragraphs 20 to 22). The complaint states that Electronic Edison is asserting only a method claim, so the marking requirements of 35 U.S.C. 287(a) do not apply.

Relief requested

The prayer asks for a judgment that claim 8 was infringed, literally or under the doctrine of equivalents; damages and costs; pre-judgment and post-judgment interest; and other relief the court deems just and proper.

What to watch next

The docket shows summons issued October 22, 2026, and a notice of attorney appearance on October 23, 2026. Watch for service on General Motors and its answer or Rule 12 motion.