P.M. BRIEFING : Mattel to Pay Inventor Millions

A federal jury ordered toy maker Mattel Inc. to pay millions of dollars to a 66-year-old inventor for infringing on his patent with Mattel’s “Hot Wheels” toy car racing system.

The jury this week awarded Jerome Lemelson of Princeton, N.J., $24.8 million from Mattel. Under federal law, U.S. District Judge Charles Kocoras could triple the award if he found the patent infringement “willful and deliberate.” Lawyers argued that matter before Kocoras on Thursday.

Hot Wheels, miniature cars that glide on flexible tracks, ramps, jumps and loops, made $545 million in sales between 1972 and 1986. The toy is Mattel’s most popular offering after Barbie dolls.

“I feel wonderful,” said Lemelson after the award was announced. “This is absolutely my proudest victory. It has been a long road, but it was worth it.”

Attorneys for Hawthorne, Calif.-based Mattel said the decision will be appealed.