Johnson Outdoors Inc., parent company of Humminbird, and Garmin Internation Inc. have reached agreement on a settlement that resolves litigation involving Johnson Outdoors’ patented side scan sonar technology, according to a press release issued today. The announcement follows the International Trade Commission’s 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 were not disclosed.
“Innovation is our lifeblood and what Johnson Outdoors has delivered consistently for nearly 50 years," said Johnson Outdoors chairman and CEO Helen Johnson-Leipold. "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 Garmin president and CEO Cliff Pemble: “Garmin recognizes Johnson Outdoors and Humminbird’s innovation in side scan fishfinder technology. 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.”
