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Posts: 307
| Johnson Outdoors Files Suit in Federal Court Against Maker of Lowrance
Navico 'Willfully Infringed' on Side Imaging(R) Patent
Press Release Source: Johnson Outdoors Inc. On Wednesday January 27, 2010, 9:00 am
RACINE, Wisc., Jan. 27, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Johnson Outdoors Inc. (Nasdaq:JOUT
- News) 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® Side Imaging® sonar technology. The complaint was filed in the U.S.
District Court in Alabama, the home of Humminbird® products for over 50 years.
Johnson Outdoors' Side Imaging® 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® sonar in
Humminbird® 900 series fishfinder models the following year.
Consumer demand prompted Johnson Outdoors to expand utilization of Side Imaging®
sonar technology across a broad range of its Humminbird® 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® 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® 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® Side Imaging® 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® sonar technology. | |
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 27, 2010
Gordon Sprouse
Navico
918-438-8615
[email protected]
LOWRANCE AFFIRMS CONTINUED COMMITMENT FOR DISTRIBUTION AND SUPPORT OF STRUCTURESCAN™ SONAR IMAGING TECHNOLOGY
Side-scanning and DownScan Imaging™ software and module add-on solution for HDS displays offers anglers and boaters a unique full-picture view of the underwater world.
Tulsa, Okla. – Lowrance, a world-leading brand in marine electronics since 1957 and GPS navigational systems since 1992, re-affirmed today that the LSS-1 StructureScan™ sonar imaging module option – compatible with HDS fishfinder/chartplotter multifunction displays – will continue to be sold, distributed and fully supported worldwide.
The announcement is a direct response to today’s patent infringement lawsuit filed against Navico, Inc., by Johnson Outdoors.
Lowrance publicly announced the 2009 availability of LSS-1 StructureScan™ sonar imaging on February 20, 2009, at the Bassmaster® Classic Expo, held in Shreveport, La. Additional details – including the DownScan Imaging™ feature of StructureScan™ sonar imaging for Lowrance HDS displays – were revealed publicly on July 15, 2009, at the International Convention of Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), held in Orlando, Fla.
Following the on-time shipment of LSS-1 StructureScan™ sonar imaging in November 2009, excitement of LSS-1 StructureScan™ sonar imaging continues to grow as media and dealer demonstrations at marine-industry events have revealed the unique “full picture” view and other unique features that this add-on module provides for owners of Lowrance HDS multifunction displays.
The LSS-1 StructureScan™ sonar imaging is based on Navico’s known and reliable sonar technology, yet it also features additional new technology not available from others, in a unique add-on module configuration.
“We are confident,” said Louis Chemi, COO for Navico Americas, “in the uniqueness and value of Lowrance LSS-1 StructureScan™ sonar imaging. We also wish to assure our customers that the worldwide sale and distribution of StructureScan™ sonar imaging will absolutely continue as planned with full Lowrance support for years to come. Navico will vigorously defend the recent legal proceedings initiated by Johnson Outdoors.”
For more information on Lowrance StructureScan™ sonar imaging, Lowrance HDS multifunction displays, or the entire Lowrance line of marine electronics, please visit www.lowrance.com.
About Lowrance:
The Lowrance® brand is wholly owned by Navico, Inc., a privately held, international marine electronics company. Navico is currently the world’s largest marine electronics company, and is the parent company to five well-established marine electronics brands: B&G®, Eagle®, Lowrance, Northstar and Simrad®. www.navico.com
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| well that's getting downright unfriendly. 
i wondered what would happen after Humminbird's patent was approved yesterday. it shows how important that part of the market is becoming to sales.
it's interesting to note that the Lowrance response emphasizes their ongoing commitment to sales and support. clearly consumer confidence is one of the big issues at stake. regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit, this is the kind of thing that can introduce uncertainty about Lowrance at a critical time of the season for sales.
meanwhile, Humminbird keeps "humming" along getting technology out first, and releasing stuff that doesn't need software updates right out of the box.
makes me glad i use Humminbird!
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Johnson Outdoors files suit against Navico.