The International Trade Commission (ITC) has again ruled that electronics manufacturer Garmin may not import its DownVu products into the U.S., as they infringe on patents held by Navico (parent company of Lowrance and other brands).
Navico alleges that Garmin has been circumventing a December 2015 exclusion order on the products, and the latest ruling clarifies the scope of the products that are barred from importation.
“The ruling vindicates Navico’s assertion that Garmin’s DownVu product offerings violate Navico’s sonar patents and the ITC’s orders,” said a Navico statement released Thursday. “Additionally, the ITC’s cease and desist orders remain active, barring Garmin and its distributors from selling or aiding others in the sale of these products.
"The ITC’s orders will block the import, sale, and promotion of current DownVu products, including the Striker, echoMAP, and GPSMAP products sold with their respective transducers. Garmin’s violations of the ITC orders open the door to potential civil penalties.”
