The marine technology company Garmin has been in a patent dispute over sonar technology with a rival company Navico since 2015, and in May of this year was found guilty of patent infringement by the International Trade Commission. On June 13th the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit overturned that decision, stating the Navico’s claims “were not supported by substantial evidence.” Garmin is free to import and sell the product in question again and will not have to pay the historically large $37 million fine recommended by the ITC.
“This ruling confirms our strong belief that Navico’s patent claims were not supported by the facts,” said Cliff Pemble, Garmin’s chief executive officer. “Despite Navico’s flood of lawsuits, and harassment of Garmin’s dealers, distributors, and customers, the industry stood by us during this difficult and unnecessary fight and for that, we are extremely grateful. We look forward to a great 2017 filled with exciting new Garmin products.”
Navico has not commented on the ruling.
A full copy of the Federal Circuit Order can be read here.
http://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/opinions-orders/16-1572.Opinion.6-8-2017.1.PD
