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Johnson Outdoors Files Suit in Federal Court Against Maker of Lowrance
January 27, 2010 9:00 AM ET
RACINE, Wisc., Jan. 27, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Johnson Outdoors Inc.
(Nasdaq:JOUT) today announced it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against
Navico, Inc. for infringement of U.S. Patent No. 7,652,952 by Navico’s sale of
the Lowrance LSS-1 StructureScan Imaging System. Johnson Outdoors’ patent
protects the Humminbird(R) Side Imaging(R) sonar technology. The complaint was
filed in the U.S. District Court in Alabama, the home of Humminbird(R) products
for over 50 years.
Johnson Outdoors’ Side Imaging(R) sonar produces detailed and recognizable
images of underwater objects and waterbeds enabling anglers to pinpoint habitat,
structure and drop-offs which are prime holding areas for fish. The patent
application process began in 2004 prior to the Company’s introduction of Side
Imaging(R) sonar in Humminbird(R) 900 series fishfinder models the following
year.
Consumer demand prompted Johnson Outdoors to expand utilization of Side
Imaging(R) sonar technology across a broad range of its Humminbird(R) portfolio
and was a key driver behind the brand’s growth over the past four years.
Following a comprehensive and methodical review process, on January 26, 2010,
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted the Company’s patent for “Side
Imaging(R) sonar.”
“Our intellectual property policy is very simple: we will respect the property
of others and fiercely protect that of our own. We were diligent throughout the
Side Imaging(R) sonar technology patent application process to ensure we
achieved both because real innovation brings real value which our customers and
consumers expect and demand. By taking steps to protect our ideas and
inventions, we help ensure our ability to continue to bring forward meaningful
advances and innovative products that excite consumers and build our customers’
business,” said Kelly Grindle, Group Vice President Marine Electronics &
Watercraft.
The Company’s complaint says Navico, Inc. expended substantial resources to
inform the trade and relevant purchasers of fish finding products, that it too
would use side scan technology to compete directly with Humminbird(R) Side
Imaging(R) sonar products with knowledge that the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
had approved the Company’s patent. The complaint further says Navico actively
induced infringement of the patent by resellers.
The Company is asking the Court to enjoin Navico from further infringement of
the patented Side Imaging(R) sonar technology.
ABOUT JOHNSON OUTDOORS MARINE ELECTRONICS, INC.
Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. consists of the Humminbird(R),
GEONAV(R), Minn Kota(R) and Cannon(R) brands. Humminbird is a leading innovator
and manufacturer of fishfinders, fishfinder/GPS combo units, chartplotters,
marine radios and digital depth gauges. Geonav is a manufacturer of
high-quality, easy-to-use marine electronics products. Minn Kota is the world’s
leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as offering a complete
line of battery chargers, Trim Tabs and marine accessories. Cannon is the leader
in controlled-depth fishing and includes a full line of downrigger products and
accessories.
ABOUT JOHNSONOUTDOORS INC.
JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global outdoor recreation company that turns ideas
into adventure with innovative, top-quality products. The company designs,
manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands
across four categories: Watercraft, Marine Electronics, Diving and Outdoor
Equipment. Johnson Outdoors’ familiar brands include, among others: Old Town(R)
canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak(TM) and Necky(R) kayaks; Lendal(R) paddles;
Carlisle(R) and Extrasport(R) paddling accessories; Minn Kota(R) motors;
Cannon(R) downriggers; Humminbird(R) fishfinders; GEONAV(R) marine electronics;
SCUBAPRO(R) UWATEC(R) and Seemann(R) dive equipment; Silva(R) compasses;
Tech4O(R) digital instruments; and Eureka!(R) tents.
Visit Johnson Outdoors at
http://www.johnsonoutdoors.com
CONTACT: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
Cynthia Georgeson
262-631-6600
GlobeNewswire, Inc.2010
