As we've just recently wrote, Toyota has been ordered to pay the very hefty sum of $4.3 million to Paice LLC for patent infringement related to its Hybrid Synergy Drive. At that time, we mentioned that Solomon Technologies had also sued Toyota regarding its hybrid vehicle technology and was appealing a previous ruling that Toyota did not infringe on one of its patents. There is good news this time for Toyota, as Solomon's appeal was denied by a three-judge panel. Solomon still believes that its patent was indeed infringed upon and claims that they "remain as determined as ever to defend our intellectual property fully and completely," according to Peter W. DeVecchis, President of Solomon Technologies. Solomon had asked that Toyota be forced to stop importing vehicles such as the hot-selling Prius, Camry and Highlander Hybrid models. Solomon has yet to determine whether or not it will continue forward with this particular case, as you can see in the press release pasted after the jump.

Click above for a high-resolution gallery of the 2007 Toyota Prius Touring.

All the way back in September of 2005, Solomon Technologies sued Toyota for allegedly infringing on a patent related to hybrid powertrains. Shortly thereafter, Solomon attempted to get the importation of the Prius and Highlander hybrid vehicles to the U.S. halted. The International Trade Commission ruled in Toyota's favor, leading to an appeal by Solomon. Their first lawsuit has been stayed awaiting the resolution of the ITC case. The latest page of this saga has Solomon completing their arguments to a three-judge panel in Washington appeals court. Of course, we have no idea how all of this will pan out, but we don't imagine that it's anywhere near over if the past is any indication.