Navico loses patent dispute against Garmin

http://newsroom.garmin.com/press-release/featured-releases/garmin-prevails-navico-patent-dispute

Public Company Information:

“Despite Navico’s flood of lawsuits, and harassment of Garmin’s dealers, distributors, and customers, the industry stood by us during this difficult and unnecessary fight and for that, we are extremely grateful. We look forward to a great 2017 filled with exciting new Garmin products.”

OLATHE, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), announced today that the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (Federal Circuit) reversed a December 2015 finding by the International Trade Commission (ITC) that Garmin had infringed Navico patents related to downscan sonar. Specifically, the Federal Circuit ruled that two of Navico’s patents were invalid and that Garmin’s DownVü sonar does not infringe a third Navico patent.

The Federal Circuit’s decision not only reverses the ITC’s original orders, but supersedes all related rulings by U.S. Customs and the ITC, including an initial determination that Garmin should be subject to a $37 million fine for selling DownVü products. Garmin is now free to import and sell any and all sonar products.

“The Federal Circuit’s sweeping decision, finding that Navico’s downscan technology was an obvious modification of old sonar systems, puts an end to Navico’s unfounded and vicious patent war against Garmin,” said Andrew Etkind, Garmin’s vice president and general counsel. “Not only does the Federal Circuit’s decision eliminate the ongoing disputes at the ITC, it renders Navico’s other lawsuits in Oklahoma and Texas without merit.”

“This ruling confirms our strong belief that Navico’s patent claims were not supported by the facts,” said Cliff Pemble, Garmin’s chief executive officer. “Despite Navico’s flood of lawsuits, and harassment of Garmin’s dealers, distributors, and customers, the industry stood by us during this difficult and unnecessary fight and for that, we are extremely grateful. We look forward to a great 2017 filled with exciting new Garmin products.”

A copy of today’s Federal Circuit order can be found here. http://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/opinions-orders/16-1572.Opinion.6-8-2017.1.PDF

Garmin was recently named Manufacturer of the Year for the second year in a row by the NMEA, an honor given to the most recognized marine electronics company for support of products in the field. Garmin’s portfolio includes some of the industry’s most sophisticated chartplotters and touchscreen multifunction displays, sonar technology, high-definition radar, autopilots, high-resolution mapping, sailing instrumentation, and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability, and ease-of-use.

For decades, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary business units, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200, or follow us at facebook.com/garmin, twitter.com/garmin, or youtube.com/garmin.

Good to hear. Thanks for sharing.

Interesting I heard Navico won and Garmin has to pay 37 Million for disregarding Navico patents?

ITC Rules Against Garmin, Recommends $37 M Fine in Sonar Litigation
 
Determination Is the Third Finding in Favor of Navico in Its Legal Disputes with Garmin in the International Trade Commission

Egersund, Norway – Navico – the world’s largest manufacturer of marine electronics and parent company to the Lowrance®, Simrad® and B&G® brands – announced today that an Enforcement Initial Determination (EID) filed by an International Trade Commission (ITC) Administrative Law Judge on May 25, 2017 finds that Garmin (NASDAQ:GRMN) violated the cease-and-desist orders issued in 2015 regarding the importation and sale of products featuring DownVü™ scanning sonar technology. The Judge recommends a $37 million fine for violating the ITC orders. Additional details of the EID are expected to be made public in June.

“For the third time, we have prevailed in our patent disputes with Garmin,” said Leif Ottosson, CEO, Navico. “This time, an Administrative Law Judge determined not only that Garmin has infringed Navico’s patents but also that there was evidence of bad faith. As far as we know, the recommended fine is the largest ever, so it is clear that the Administrative Law Judge found Garmin’s disregard for the cease-and-desist orders particularly troublesome. As we have stated throughout this process, the ruling confirms that Garmin must cease all importations and sales of the offending products in the distribution channels, and failure to do so means that the company continues to violate the ITC orders. Garmin says that they will appeal the ruling, but as with previous appeals we feel confident that we once again will prevail. In any event, Garmin must immediately conform to the ITC’s orders, and another appeal doesn’t change this fact.”

In the newly issued EID, the Administrative Law Judge also determined that Garmin’s previously touted “design-around” DownVü solution with a tilted transducer element also infringes upon Navico’s sonar technology patents.

In its latest attempt to curb impacted sales of infringing DownVü products, Garmin introduced a new range of products featuring its ClearVü™ sonar technology, which are sold in the U.S. without a down-facing transducer element. The resulting solution compiles data from the side-scanning elements in the transducer to mimic a scanning image beneath the boat. Garmin’s attempt to produce downward data from side-scanning beams reduces clarity and range, degrades the appearance of targets, and appears to miss some targets entirely. For anglers depending on their fishfinder to identify fish and structure beneath the boat, this new design is a cause for great concern. For a side-by-side comparison of Garmin’s ClearVü technology compared to Navico’s patented DownsScan Imaging™, see https://youtu.be/s1ll1q6WHkk.

The International Trade Commission is an independent governmental agency in Washington, DC responsible for addressing patent infringement disputes relating to goods that are manufactured abroad and imported into the United States. Garmin’s DownVü and ClearVü products are manufactured and imported from Taiwan.

Joe Scegura wrote:

Interesting I heard Navico won and Garmin has to pay 37 Million for disregarding Navico patents? M

It looks like from the article posted by James the court of appeals trumped that ruling.

Different dates result in different decisions;

International Trade Commission (ITC) Administrative Law Judge on May 25, 2017 finds in favor of Navico. This time, an Administrative Law Judge determined not only that Garmin has infringed Navico’s patents but also that there was evidence of bad faith.

Federal Circuit order Decided: June 13, 2017 finds in favor of Garmin.

The Federal Circuit’s decision not only reverses the ITC’s original orders, but supersedes all related rulings by U.S. Customs and the ITC, including an initial determination that Garmin should be subject to a $37 million fine for selling DownVü products. Garmin is now free to import and sell any and all sonar products.

I think we all benefit from competition, so I for one am glad we have as many manufacturers as possible. It’s funny my article is pro Lowrance and paints Garmin as the villain and James’s article is pro Garmin and makes Navico sound like they’re harassing them… politics. I find it kind of humorous.

The Appeals court ruling was in June 2017. I think Navico might want to update their website.

Personally? I don’t think this hurt Navico or Humminbird (that) much and Garmin will continue to grow market share as more people take a look at what Garmin is offering.

No that that right is over they can go back to fighting to be the first company to offer a 55″ widescreen sonar.

Garmin still doesn’t, and will not have the downward facing element, correct?

nhamm wrote:

Garmin still doesn’t, and will not have the downward facing element, correct?

I’m sure at some point they will now.

Still doesn’t change the fact of their shady business practice of not informing the consumer that they were not getting a true down image.

I think that the only garmins that had the non true downimaging were the units that were sold as a bundle with the transducer included with the unit, but if I’m wrong it won’t be the first time, or the last.

I’m sure at some point they will now.

Still doesn’t change the fact of their shady business practice of not informing the consumer that they were not getting a true down image.
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X2!

So, will the 73sv I bought 3 months ago be updated with the newest? That’s my question

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Jonesy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>nhamm wrote:</div>
Garmin still doesn’t, and will not have the downward facing element, correct?

I’m sure at some point they will now.

Still doesn’t change the fact of their shady business practice of not informing the consumer that they were not getting a true down image.

OH MAN, we aren’t going down this road again are we?????

From what I understand they did have it before and had to change it because of the law suit. Now they can go back to it since they didn’t infringe on the patent.

When is Garmin sending updates or transducers to fix the “downscan” they sold? If they dont fix it no one cares they won a lawsuit and thats a fact. As of now they simply screwed people on purpose…

Brian Klawitter wrote:

The Appeals court ruling was in June 2017. I think Navico might want to update their website.

Personally? I don’t think this hurt Navico or Humminbird (that) much and Garmin will continue to grow market share as more people take a look at what Garmin is offering.

Hope the boxes now will explain they have true downscan, not the fake downscan they have sold in the past. That will help their market share…. anyone that knows of the fraud will run away from Garmin, should be a class action lawsuit to boot.

In my great legal mind I’m assuming the case went their way bc of the fact it’s not a true down scan, and therefore will not be changed.

Ever since that “last road” we went on with this ive been using Lowrance downscan in my dad’s boat this entire spring next to the 2d, and to think of going back to my 73SV in my boat is a lil disappointing in that regard. Perhaps my old HB597 didn’t have the quality, or I’m just reading the screens better but the Lowrance DI is impressive and a tool I would like to have.

Don’t get me wrong I still think the 73sv 2d and side chirp is the BOMB, maps are still meh to me, but don’t regret my choice bc of the value that was in the whole package.

But in the end once I get more $$ and will be buying another unit ask which brand I’ll be getting…..

I run my clearvu sonar split with traditional about half the time when i’m fishing. I guess I don’t see what all the fuss is about. I have no complaints. I do run the GT50M-TM transducer though.

sticker wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Black98TransAm wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>nhamm wrote:</div>
Garmin still doesn’t, and will not have the downward facing element, correct?

I’m sure at some point they will now.

Still doesn’t change the fact of their shady business practice of not informing the consumer that they were not getting a true down image.

OH MAN, we aren’t going down this road again are we?????

From what I understand they did have it before and had to change it because of the law suit. Now they can go back to it since they didn’t infringe on the patent.

Exactly. They changed it, changed the name, and told nobody that they were losing a true DI crystal in the transducer and thus were getting a stitched image. Seems this only came to light once Navico/Lowrance released that video showing the difference.

Well then, looks like my unit has the down element, being it’s the GT transducer not the CV, per article.

F#$k yeah! That’s why I paid an extra $400 at the time I guess. Looks like I’ll have to go make my own custom screens with the DI, see how it stacks up to what I’ve been seeing all spring.
https://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/threads/garmin-bundled-cv-transducers-have-no-down-element.651847/

Sounds like Navico & Garmin have settled their lawsuits and are cross licencing technology. That should mean a better down scan for the Garmins and I wonder if we will see panoptixs type device from Lowrance or just mapping stuff.
http://newsroom.garmin.com/press-release/marine/garmin-and-navico-resolve-patent-disputes

Robert Duncan wrote:

Sounds like Navico & Garmin have settled their lawsuits and are cross licencing technology. That should mean a better down scan for the Garmins and I wonder if we will see panoptixs type device from Lowrance or just mapping stuff.
http://newsroom.garmin.com/press-release/marine/garmin-and-navico-resolve-patent-disputes

I agree this in the end will be good for the consumer. It will be interesting to see what Lowrance gets out of the deal.

Maybe they will team up against Johnson Outdoors and beat the snot out of them for making there lake maps proprietary.