Garmin and Johnson Outdoors Settle Patent Litigation

Humminbird will license its side scan technology to Garmin as partial resolution to an ongoing patent infringement suit.

Garmin International, Inc. and Johnson Outdoors Inc. have announced that the companies have reached a settlement on litigation involving Johnson Outdoors’ patented side scan sonar technology.

Today’s announcement follows the International Trade Commission’s (ITC) rulings, which affirmed 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 pending litigation pending before the ITC, the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and US 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. 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,” said Johnson Outdoors, chair and CEO, Helen Johnson-Leipold. “(The) 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.”

“Garmin recognizes Johnson Outdoors and Humminbird’s innovation in side scan fishfinder technology,” said Cliff Pemble, Garmin International Inc. president and CEO. “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.”