Garmin court ruling inconclusive
By JASON GERTZEN, The Kansas City Star
A judge rules neither firm infringed on the other’s patents in a dispute over technology rights.
Global Positioning System rivals Garmin and TomTom will continue to skirmish over patents even after a ruling addressed a technology-rights dispute.
A U.S. District Court judge Friday issued a ruling that essentially closed the case on a lawsuit Garmin Lt d. and Garmin Corp. filed against TomTom Inc. this year, according to TomTom and Garmin executives.
Garmin of Olathe and TomTom, based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, make portable navigation devices that use a network of satellites.
Garmin this year sued in federal court in Wisconsin, saying TomTom was infringing on five of Garmin’s U.S. patents. The technology involved is intended to make it easier to use electronic devices that select routes and display street maps.
TomTom countered that Garmin was improperly using technology that TomTom controlled.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb issued a ruling in response to requests for summary judgment from both companies.
“Both sides’ motions will be denied in part and granted in part,” Crabb said in the 87-page order.
Crabb ruled that TomTom’s products did not infringe on key portions of Garmin’s patents, and Garmin’s products did not infringe on TomTom’s patents.
Both companies considered the ruling to be favorable to them.
“We are pleased with Judge Crabb’s rejection of TomTom’s infringement claims against Garmin,” Andrew Etkind, Garmin’s general counsel, said in a statement. “Garmin will continue to take all necessary action against those who misappropriate the innovations developed by Garmin’s engineers. While Garmin would prefer not to litigate, it will not stand idly by and allow others, like TomTom, to exploit Garmin’s technology.”
Another patent infringement lawsuit Garmin filed in Texas against TomTom is pending.
“We are pleased with the recognition of the Wisconsin court that this was not a valid case,” Harold Goddijn, chief executive officer of TomTom, said in a company news release. “We did not start this fight and tried to convince Garmin that the case did not have merit. Garmin has spent considerable amounts of money and manpower to try and stop TomTom making inroads into the U.S. market. The net result is that many of their claims were invalidated.”
Garmin shares closed Tuesday at $54.95, down 21 cents.
A judge rules neither firm infringed on the other’s patents in a dispute over technology rights.
Global Positioning System rivals Garmin and TomTom will continue to skirmish over patents even after a ruling addressed a technology-rights dispute.
A U.S. District Court judge Friday issued a ruling that essentially closed the case on a lawsuit Garmin Lt d. and Garmin Corp. filed against TomTom Inc. this year, according to TomTom and Garmin executives.
Garmin of Olathe and TomTom, based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, make portable navigation devices that use a network of satellites.
Garmin this year sued in federal court in Wisconsin, saying TomTom was infringing on five of Garmin’s U.S. patents. The technology involved is intended to make it easier to use electronic devices that select routes and display street maps.
TomTom countered that Garmin was improperly using technology that TomTom controlled.
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb issued a ruling in response to requests for summary judgment from both companies.
“Both sides’ motions will be denied in part and granted in part,” Crabb said in the 87-page order.
Crabb ruled that TomTom’s products did not infringe on key portions of Garmin’s patents, and Garmin’s products did not infringe on TomTom’s patents.
Both companies considered the ruling to be favorable to them.
“We are pleased with Judge Crabb’s rejection of TomTom’s infringement claims against Garmin,” Andrew Etkind, Garmin’s general counsel, said in a statement. “Garmin will continue to take all necessary action against those who misappropriate the innovations developed by Garmin’s engineers. While Garmin would prefer not to litigate, it will not stand idly by and allow others, like TomTom, to exploit Garmin’s technology.”
Another patent infringement lawsuit Garmin filed in Texas against TomTom is pending.
“We are pleased with the recognition of the Wisconsin court that this was not a valid case,” Harold Goddijn, chief executive officer of TomTom, said in a company news release. “We did not start this fight and tried to convince Garmin that the case did not have merit. Garmin has spent considerable amounts of money and manpower to try and stop TomTom making inroads into the U.S. market. The net result is that many of their claims were invalidated.”
Garmin shares closed Tuesday at $54.95, down 21 cents.
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