Garmin's first generation of SideVü sonar products infringes a patent on a Johnson Outdoors side scan sonar used in certain Humminbird fishfinders, according to an initial determination by an administrative law judge at the International Trade Commission (ITC). The ruling is subject to review by the ITC. The judge determined that Garmin violated section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 by importing and selling SideVü sonars, which were found to infringe on a patent held by Johnson Outdoors. According to Garmin, the judge's initial determination stated that Garmin's first generation of SideVü sonar technology was too similar to some claims of one of the three patents asserted by Johnson, but found no violation with reference to the two other patents as alleged in a complaint filed with the ITC by Johnson. Garmin said it disagrees that there is any violation and will seek review by the ITC, although it said it is developing improvements to its current SideVü sonar products.

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