Pioneer files suit against Garmin over GPS technology

Japanese electronics giant Pioneer has filed suit against Garmin claiming the company is infringing on some of its patents that cover in car navigation technology. Pioneer has asked the International Trade Commission to block Garmin from importing the products that use the allegedly infringing technology.

“Pioneer has been negotiating in good faith also with Garmin for a license to Pioneer’s navigation patent portfolio,” it said in a statement issued on Monday. “However, since the value of the portfolio has not been fairly evaluated by Garmin, Pioneer determined that litigation is necessary in order to protect its intellectual property in the navigation product field.”

This is the second complaint Pioneer has filed against Garmin. In October they filed a lawsuit in Germany over the contested patents, which involve various aspects of in car navigation systems. Pioneer said it feels it has no choice after talks with Garmin broke down.

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Read [PCWorld]