Major Humminbird Announcement

[scottsweet]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Patent Approved for Humminbird’s Innovative
Side Imaging® Fishfinder Technology


EUFAULA, Ala. (Jan. 26, 2010) – The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has granted U.S. Patent No. 7,652,952 to Johnson Outdoors Inc. for the Humminbird® Side Imaging® technology. The approved patent protects Humminbird’s Side Imaging sonar systems from unauthorized copying.

“Our Side Imaging sonar technology is one of the most heralded innovations in the marine electronics industry in decades,â€

[ASD]

So dose this mean that the other guys (L) will have to stop selling theirs?

[bigbass111]

No, not at all.... Lowrance's technology is differant in many ways and they had the down scan out before hummingbird

[biteme]

Seems like they went through this trouble to do this so they could go after someone. I guess only time will tell. I still dont understand why someone would pay so much more for a Lowrance unit. I guess maybe brand loyal?

[scottsweet]

No, not at all.... Lowrance's technology is differant in many ways and they had the down scan out before hummingbird

So you know, your statements are simply not true. I don't not know where you are getting your information, but I know for a fact your information as stated is incorrect. Further, if you read the Patent and the dates thereof, you will see otherwise.

As for what Johnson Outdoors will do, that is to be seen.

Scott Sweet
www.humminbird.com
www.minnkotamotors.com

Disclaimer: I am not an employee of Johnson Outdoors or Humminbird. I am sponsored and represent their product to the best of my knowledge.

[biteme]

No, not at all.... Lowrance's technology is differant in many ways and they had the down scan out before hummingbird

So you know, your statements are simply not true. I don't not know where you are getting your information, but I know for a fact your information is incorrect. Further, if you read the Patent and the dates thereof, you will see otherwise.

As for what Johnson Outdoors will do, that is to be seen.

Scott Sweet
www.humminbird.com
www.minnkotamotors.com

That was my guess also. I was thinking maybe this is why Lowrance rushed their new stuff to market to avoid this. But it looks like its not going to work.

[bigbass111]

Your right, time will tell. And you will still see Lowrance with Structure scan. Technology can differ guys, all they need is a FEW differant little chips and its not breaking any patents....The fishing industry is full of copy cats and Lowrance's structure is in no way a copy.... its better...haha

[Rick G]

I think Lowrance should put Sandra Day O'Conner on the Pro Team. Rick G.

[sro114]

I doubt Lowrance has anything to worry about. The techonology can not all be the same as implied because I just replaced my side imaging with structure scan because it is ten times better. Ask any non biased person who has a chance to use both and you will get the same answer. It is a nice try at stirring the pot.

As a note: I'm not biased as I'm not sponsored by either company and in fact have owned more Humminbird units than Lowrance.

[ASD]

LOOK @ the other thread Lowrance is going to court

[scottsweet]

I doubt Lowrance has anything to worry about. The techonology can not all be the same as implied because I just replaced my side imaging with structure scan because it is ten times better. Ask any non biased person who has a chance to use both and you will get the same answer. It is a nice try at stirring the pot.

As a note: I'm not biased as I'm not sponsored by either company and in fact have owned more Humminbird units than Lowrance.

You and Bigbass are sorely incorrect in your assessments of the technology. See my technical details post to understand what was patented. It is not the "chips" that were patented, but the general technology as a whole.

http://www.westernbass.com/forum/viewto ... =55664&f=2

Scott
www.humminbird.com
www.minnkotamotors.com

Disclaimer: I am not an employee of Johnson Outdoors or Humminbird. I am sponsored and represent their product to the best of my knowledge.

[sro114]

I still doubt that Humminbird will win this battle. I for one am a firm believer in the patent process and hold two of my own. This being said when I was in the process of my first the patent attorney that I was using told me that nearly any patent can be pierced or subverted if you have enough money. I'm thinking that Lowrance will probably have the resources to fight it to the extreme. It is truly unfortunate for the consumer, because no matter how you slice it this will fall back into our pockets.

I'll be curious to see an official statement from Lowrance.

[mark poulson]

Gene Larue patented salted plastics, and Gary Yamamoto wound up having to pay him royalties.

[macinckirk]

LOWRANCE AFFIRMS CONTINUED COMMITMENT FOR DISTRIBUTION AND SUPPORT OF STRUCTURESCANâ„¢ SONAR IMAGING TECHNOLOGY‏
From: Lowrance (no.reply@navico.com)
You may not know this sender.Mark as safe|Mark as junk
Sent: Wed 1/27/10 12:32 PM
To: Kirk McIntyre (basscaptain@hotmail.com)








FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

January 27, 2010


Gordon Sprouse

Navico

918-438-8615

gordon.sprouse@navico.com





LOWRANCE AFFIRMS CONTINUED COMMITMENT FOR DISTRIBUTION AND SUPPORT OF STRUCTURESCANâ„¢ SONAR IMAGING TECHNOLOGY



Side-scanning and DownScan Imagingâ„¢ software and module add-on solution for HDS displays offers anglers and boaters a unique full-picture view of the underwater world.

Tulsa, Okla. – Lowrance, a world-leading brand in marine electronics since 1957 and GPS navigational systems since 1992, re-affirmed today that the LSS-1 StructureScan™ sonar imaging module option – compatible with HDS fishfinder/chartplotter multifunction displays – will continue to be sold, distributed and fully supported worldwide.
The announcement is a direct response to today’s patent infringement lawsuit filed against Navico, Inc., by Johnson Outdoors.
Lowrance publicly announced the 2009 availability of LSS-1 StructureScan™ sonar imaging on February 20, 2009, at the Bassmaster® Classic Expo, held in Shreveport, La. Additional details – including the DownScan Imaging™ feature of StructureScan™ sonar imaging for Lowrance HDS displays – were revealed publicly on July 15, 2009, at the International Convention of Sportfishing Trades (ICAST), held in Orlando, Fla.
Following the on-time shipment of LSS-1 StructureScanâ„¢ sonar imaging in November 2009, excitement of LSS-1 StructureScanâ„¢ sonar imaging continues to grow as media and dealer demonstrations at marine-industry events have revealed the unique “full pictureâ€

[mark poulson]

Regardless of whether or not there is a patent infringement issue, Navico and Louie Chemi suck for how they treated Linda Colt.

[sro114]

Gene Larue patented salted plastics, and Gary Yamamoto wound up having to pay him royalties.

Very True