Johnson Outdoors Files Suit in Federal Court Against Maker of Lowrance Navico

[Joby @ Humminbird]

Johnson Outdoors Offical Press Release

RACINE, Wisconsin, January 27, 2010 - Johnson Outdoors Inc. (JOUT: Nasdaq) 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.


ABOUT JOHNSON OUTDOORS MARINE ELECTRONICS, INC.
Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Inc. consists of the Humminbird®, Geonav® Minn Kota® and Cannon® brands. Humminbird is a leading innovator and manufacturer of fishfinders, fishfinder/GPS combo units, chartplotters, marine radios and digital depth gauges. Geonav is a manufacturer of high-quality, easy-to-use marine electronics products. Minn Kota is the world’s leading manufacturer of electric trolling motors, as well as offering a complete line of battery chargers, Trim Tabs and marine accessories. Cannon is the leader in controlled-depth fishing and includes a full line of downrigger products and accessories.

ABOUT JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.
JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global outdoor recreation company that turns ideas into adventure with innovative, top-quality products. The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft, Marine Electronics, Diving and Outdoor Equipment. Johnson Outdoors' familiar brands include, among others: Old Town® canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak™ and Necky® kayaks; Lendal® paddles; Carlisle® and Extrasport® paddling accessories; Minn Kota® motors; Cannon® downriggers; Humminbird® fishfinders; GEONAV® marine electronics; SCUBAPRO® UWATEC® and Seemann® dive equipment; Silva® compasses; Tech4O® digital instruments; and Eureka!® tents.
Visit Johnson Outdoors at Johnson Outdoors

[Wannabe...]

Did I call it or what.....The line to issue your apology and beg my forgiveness forms to the left, goes out the door and down the hall. No need for shoving, everyone will get their turn. LOL.



Wannabe...

[fished-out]

If they win, wonder what happens to all the people buying Lowrance right now--could mean the end of support for starters, but most likely years away. Lowrance would pay HB a ton of money for the infringement, but I wonder if they end up with a license and pay HB a piece of everything going forward, or Lowrance just ends up with no side imaging.

Or, could be Lowrance buys time to invent its own approach by dragging on the proceedings.

Could be interesting. Glad I've got an HB, as I don't care to think about what happens next.

[JABBO]

If they win, wonder what happens to all the people buying Lowrance right now--could mean the end of support for starters, but most likely years away. Lowrance would pay HB a ton of money for the infringement, but I wonder if they end up with a license and pay HB a piece of everything going forward, or Lowrance just ends up with no side imaging.

Or, could be Lowrance buys time to invent its own approach by dragging on the proceedings.

Could be interesting. Glad I've got an HB, as I don't care to think about what happens next.

I think HB is pissed that Lowrance has out done them with HB's own technology. Pretty funny to me...:D:D

[rnvinc]

Competition is what leads to better products for the consumer....

This is just part of the process....

I'd say L will have to change a certain % of their product as per Patent guidelines....before it's over....

[mduncan62]

I'd have to agree, hb probably had their feelings hurt when lowrance came out with a better product.
And who had down imaging to market first?

Lowrance may have engineered enough changes that this will be a non-issue, and only soct consumers
More to offset the legal fees. Would be nice to see the filing and not the bs press release. You can say anything in
A press release. The technology has been around for a long time. So it will be interesting to see what hb actually owns
With this patent.

[CatFan]

After reading HB's patent, I don't see any claim that wasn't prior art. Their main claim seems to be the hull-mounted transducer and the combination of a down-looking transducer and side-scan transducers in the same housing.

Starfish, DeepVision and Simrad all currently sell hull mounted side-scan sonars. Simrad holds "US Patent 5260912 - Side-looking fish finder" which was issued 9 November 1993, which specifically describes mounting the transducer on the boat. This patent expires in 2013.

Now try going to simrad.com to read about Simrad sonars. You'll find yourself at their parent company's web site. Navico.com.

I have an IEEE document from 1996 explaining the problems of using a side-scan sonar with a hull mounted transducer, and explaining why a towed side-scan transducer produces better images than a hull mounted transducer. It then goes on to explain how they overcame the problems and developed a system to allow them to mount the sidescan transducer to the hull of the boat and still get acceptable readings.

I expect you will see Navico file a countersuit alleging Johnson Outdoors has violated their patents, and then eventually they'll find a few things Lowrance is using that Humminbird has patented and a few things Humminbird is using that Lowrance has patented, the lawyers will get big checks and everything will proceed as it is.

Lowrance has had the advantage of knowing what the Humminbird units do for a few years, so their legal efforts are probably almost complete.

[Cane Pole]

I don't care who wins the court battles. It will cost us more for the products in the long run. It not the first time they have banged heads in court and it want be the last.

[beagle man]

only thing I care about is will it affect me in any way, if not let the lawyers have at it and I will fish

[Wannabe...]

Send lawyers guns and money.

Wannabe...