Honeywell loses decision in GPS fight with Pioneer

Administrative Law Judge Theodore Essex of the U.S. International Trade Commission issued an initial determination in favor of Finnegan clients Pioneer Corporation and Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc., holding that Pioneer does not infringe any claim of the four patents asserted by Honeywell International. Judge Essex also ruled that the asserted claims in three of Honeywell’s patents are invalid. The technology at issue involves GPS navigation units. Three of Pioneer’s competitors were parties to this ITC investigation but settled with Honeywell before trial. After presiding over a week-long trial in June and evaluating the parties’ post-trial submissions, Judge Essex issued a detailed 172-page opinion absolving Pioneer of any liability in connection with this litigation.