============================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 16, 1999 ------------------------ Mechanical Technology Incorporated ------------------------------------------------------ (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) New York -------------------------------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 0-6890 14-1462255 ------------------------ ------------------------------------ (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 968 Albany-Shaker Road, Latham, New York 12110 - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (518) 785-2211 ------------------ ============================================================================ Item 5. Other Events. On November 8, 1999, Plug Power Inc. ("Plug Power") received correspondence from counsel to DCT, Inc., alleging, among other things, that Mechanical Technology Incorporated (the "Company") misappropriated from DCT, Inc. business and technical trade secrets, ideas, know-how and strategies relating to fuel cell systems, and that certain contractual obligations owed to DCT, Inc. were breached. The correspondence threatens litigation against the Company as well as Plug Power, Edison Development Corporation, DTE Energy Company and The Detroit Edison Company. The Company believes that the allegations made against the Company are without merit, and the Company intends to vigorously defend any litigation which may be filed against the Company with regard to this matter, but the ultimate outcome of any litigation is of course uncertain. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. MECHANICAL TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED Date: November 16, 1999 By: /s/ Cynthia A. Scheuer ----------------- ---------------------------------- Cynthia A. Scheuer Chief Financial Officer