Johnson Outdoors Inc. and Navico Inc. jointly announced today that they have resolved their dispute related to Johnson Outdoors' patented Humminbird Side Imaging sonar technology and Navico's StructureScan accessory to its displays.
“As a result of the settlement, the case has been dismissed,” the companies said in a statement. “The companies have mutually agreed that the terms of the out-of-court settlement will remain confidential.”
In 2010, Johnson Outdoors filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Navico for selling certain fish-finding equipment. The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court in Alabama, the home of Humminbird products for over 50 years.
The Company’s complaint said Navico 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 said Navico actively induced infringement of the patent by resellers.
