December 7, 2015

Garmin International Inc has announced that the International Trade Commission (ITC) issued a final determination in the investigation brought by Navico Holdings AS against Garmin. The ITC reversed an earlier decision by an administrative law judge and concluded that first generation Garmin DownVüTM scanning sonar products were too similar to at least one patented aspect of Navico DownScan technology. The ITC recommended that these Garmin products be excluded from import into the United States. The ITC also found that some asserted claims of one of Navico’s patents were invalid, that there was no infringement of one of Navico’s patents by any Garmin products, and that one Garmin scanning sonar system design did not infringe any of Navico’s patents.

“Garmin intentionally designed its products to prevent infringement of Navico’s patents. We disagree with the ITC and plan to appeal the determination,” said Andrew Etkind, Garmin vice president and general counsel. “However, as with the Johnson Outdoors ITC determination we announced in November, we have already taken steps to ensure that we can continue to provide Garmin DownVü scanning sonar products. Garmin has already designed, implemented, and manufactured an alternative design that addresses the issue in this ITC ruling.”

The ruling will have no impact on Garmin products already purchased by Garmin customers and dealers, or any products purchased going forward.  The ITC expressly found that Garmin did not intend to infringe Navico’s patents.  Garmin will continue to vigorously defend the non-infringing configuration of these first generation DownVü scanning sonar products through appeals and an ongoing litigation in Oklahoma.  The ITC ruling applies only to Garmin and has no impact on any existing dealer inventory or any products already purchased by our customers.  

The impacted transducers will be available shortly with the alternative design solution. While the redesign does address the ITC’s findings, end-users and dealers will not notice a change to user interface, installation or compatibility with existing Garmin products or accessories. 

Recently, Garmin was named Manufacturer of the Year and received the honor of being the most recognized company in the marine electronics field by the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA®). Garmin’s portfolio includes some of the industry’s most sophisticated chartplotters and touchscreen multifunction displays, sonar technology, high-definition radar, autopilots, high-resolution mapping, sailing instrumentation and other products and services that are known for innovation, reliability and ease-of-use. 

For more than 25 years, Garmin has pioneered new GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications that are designed for people who live an active lifestyle. Garmin serves five primary business units, including automotive, aviation, fitness, marine, and outdoor recreation. For more information, visit Garmin’s virtual pressroom at garmin.com/newsroom, contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200, or follow us at facebook.com/garmin, twitter.com/garmin, or youtube.com/garmin.