Details have emerged of a lawsuit filed in Montana on June 19 by Garmin International Inc. and Garmin USA Inc. against uAvionix in which the Olathe, Kansas avionics giant claims the upstart Bigfork, Montana-based micro-miniaturization experts used a Garmin patent without permission when they created some uAvionix retail product offerings. Specifically, Garmin alleges the uAvionix echoUAT and skyBeacon’s method of obtaining an installed transponder’s Mode 3/A code and altitude infringes upon Garmin’s U.S. Patent No. 8,102,301 (“the 301 Patent”) used in Garmin’s GDL-82, GDL-84 and GDL-88 systems.
Garmin and uAvionix Prepare to Tangle in Court
Key Takeaways:
- Garmin has filed a lawsuit against uAvionix, alleging infringement of its U.S. Patent No. 8,102,301, which covers the method of obtaining transponder Mode 3/A code and altitude for ADS-B systems.
- The lawsuit specifically targets uAvionix's echoUAT and skyBeacon products, claiming they unlawfully use technology patented by Garmin and found in its GDL-82, GDL-84, and GDL-88 systems.
- uAvionix denies the infringement, stating its commitment to innovation and intellectual property rights, and asserts the lawsuit will not impact the certification or shipping of its products.
- The dispute highlights a competitive landscape where uAvionix offers smaller, more easily installable, and comparably priced ADS-B solutions, with its skyBeacon awaiting final FAA authorization.
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