Garmin : and Johnson Outdoors announce patent litigation settlement
May 06, 2016 at 09:38 am EDT
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Garmin International, Inc. and Johnson Outdoors Inc. today announced the companies have reached agreement on a settlement which resolves litigation involving Johnson Outdoors' patented side scan sonar technology. Today's announcement follows the International Trade Commission's (ITC) rulings in the matter affirming infringement by Garmin of one Johnson Outdoors' patent and non-infringement of two Johnson Outdoors' patents. The agreement, which includes the licensing of these patents to Garmin, will bring closure to related legal matters pending before the ITC, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Terms of the agreement are confidential.
'Innovation is our lifeblood and what Johnson Outdoors has delivered consistently for nearly 50 years. It is the driving force behind our legacy of continuous growth and success. This is why we invest heavily in development and protection of our proprietary innovation and vigorously defend it against unauthorized use. Today's announced settlement and licensing agreement are the latest acknowledgements of the validity of our side scan sonar patents by our competitors as affirmed consistently by the courts,' said Helen Johnson-Leipold, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Johnson Outdoors.
'Garmin recognizes Johnson Outdoors and Humminbird's innovation in side scan fishfinder technology,' said Cliff Pemble, President and CEO, Garmin International, Inc. 'We understand that patents are a great accomplishment, a prized achievement by innovation leaders, including Johnson Outdoors and Humminbird®. We are pleased with the amicable resolution of this matter and respect Johnson Outdoors for working with Garmin to license this technology.'
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About Garmin International Inc. Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN). Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin is a registered trademark and SideVu is a trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
ABOUT JOHNSON OUTDOORS 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 Gear. Johnson Outdoors' familiar brands include, among others: Old Town® canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak™ and Necky kayaks; Carlisle paddles; Extrasport personal flotation devices; Minn Kota motors; Cannon downriggers; Humminbird marine electronics and charts; SCUBAPRO dive equipment; Silva compasses; Jetboil outdoor cooking systems; and Eureka! camping and hiking equipment.
Garmin International Inc.
Carly Hysell, 913-397-8200
media.relations@garmin.com
Johnson Outdoors Inc.
Patricia Penman, 262-631-6600
Patricia.penman@johnsonoutdoors.com
Garmin Ltd. published this content on 06 May 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 06 May 2016 13:37:10 UTC.
Original documenthttp://newsroom.garmin.com/press-release/corporate/garmin-johnson-outdoors-announce-patent-litigation-settlement
Public permalinkhttp://www.publicnow.com/view/882E943E228EBDF06EF268E7446E2D3B16974031
Garmin Ltd. is one of the world's leaders in designing, producing, and marketing satellite geopositioning systems (GPS). The activity is organized around two families of products:
- marine and land geopositioning systems: tracers and sensors, pocket assistants, automobile guidance systems, sporting equipment (equipped with detectors for speed, distance traveled, heart rate, etc.);
- aerial geopositioning equipment: high-frequency communication transmitters, aerial display products, digital transponders (for transmitting altitude and flight number, broadcast by towers and control radar systems), beacon receivers, audio panels, etc.
Net sales break down by area of activity between outdoor activities (32.5%), sports and fitness (25.7%), marine (17.5%), aviation (16.2%), and automotive (8.1%).
At the end of 2023, the group had 9 production sites located in the United States (3), Taiwan (3), China, the Netherlands, and Poland.
Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: Americas (50%), Europe/Middle East/Africa (34%) and Asia/Pacific (16%).
GARMIN LTD. 
