I got a email that Lowrance won an innovation awart for their 1957 green box fish se lec tor.
Nothing about SI. I think HB got their tailpipe sewed up here. Could be wrong.
I'm hearing that Lowrance is introducing a side imaging unit at iCast this yr.
Anyone that can confirm.
I got a email that Lowrance won an innovation awart for their 1957 green box fish se lec tor.
Nothing about SI. I think HB got their tailpipe sewed up here. Could be wrong.
Member BS Pro-Staff and Billbob Pro-Staff
Proud Member of Team Geezer... authorized by: billbob and "G"
Dream On wont be happening for several more years Humminbird has seen to that for at least another 5 years
CrappieGeorge
I bet they are patented to the gills on that deal and I don't blame them a bit, awesome technological advance there.
It's all over but the fryin'......
On the Sidefinder site several of the HB folks have mentioned a 20 year patent on their system. I am sure that covers everything like, similar, in water, etc. etc. :D
I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.....
PROUD MEMBER OF TEAM GEEZER
The military had similar ariborne tecnology over 40 years ago. (SLAR) I wonder how patents from that play into it?
Fair Winds and Following Seas
Bill H. PTC USN Ret
Chesapeake, Va
I don't believe HB patented the SI technology itself. It is my understanding the patent covers the mounting technique (attached to the boat) instead of pulling a spar behind the boat. It is the physical mount that is protected, even mounting to a troll motor or any type bracket is protected by patent.
Patents can be avoided by another new type of mount that changes form, fit, or function. This isn't so easy accomplished and can be challenged. Easiest way is to pay royalties to the patent holder (if possible). I hold several patents.
Member BS Pro-Staff and Billbob Pro-Staff
Proud Member of Team Geezer... authorized by: billbob and "G"
I read H'bird's patent, and I seem to recall that it is actually the transducer construction itself, not the mounting that is the heart of it. The easiest way to get around a patent is to get a judge and/or jury to rule that it is invalid due to prior art or to rule that it was an obvious concept to a sonar engineer. Both seem feasible. Most of the time what happens is that Lowrance would go to H'bird and tell them either we get favorable license terms or we try to get your patent trashed. In that case, H'bird's options are to make a reasonable amount of money by licensing it or to spend a bunch protecting it with the risk that they'll lose and be out all the legal fees and have no license fees. The odds of getting a patent ruled invalid have very little to do with the validity of the patent, and a lot to do with the ability of a team of attorneys to convince 12 average Joes and a judge who understand virtually nothing about the product that their experts are smarter than the other guy's experts.
I've been to court twice on patent issues (once just a sworn deposition), and was disillusioned both times. Once, the wrong guy won, and the other time the right guy won, but only on a technicality.