RESTON, Va. (AP) -- Jet engine maker Rolls-Royce said Thursday that it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against United Technologies over the design of engine parts.
The amended complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, alleges that fan blades in a United Technologies geared turbofan engine infringes on a Rolls-Royce patent. The British Rolls-Royce also claims that other United Technologies engines violate its patent.
Rolls-Royce is seeking unspecified damages and injunctions. The company says the case is expected to go before a jury in the first half of 2011.
According to Rolls-Royce, the case dates back to the late 1990s, when the two companies disputed over the design in the U.S. Patent Office. Rolls-Royce said United Technologies attempts to have its patent struck were unsuccessful.
United Technologies did not immediately return a request for comment.
