TSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft

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TSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft

8/21/2018 8:02 AM

Michael Marra

Joined: 3/26/2014

Posts: 706

Re: TSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft

Wow, this says it all from SkyBeacon's side...

"We are disappointed and frustrated we have to go through the expense, distraction, and effort of defending ourselves, but also recognize that disruptive products often attract unwanted attention from incumbents.

As pilots, we will fight hard and stand our ground to deliver groundbreaking and innovative products to this market.

We also want to make a clear statement that this suit in no way impacts our ability to certify and ship any of our products – including skyBeacon and tailBeacon."

Mike N714AJ

8/21/2018 2:18 PM

Joined: 1/1/0001

Posts: 0

Re: TSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft

Typically in these types of infringement actions, assuming the court finds patent infringement, the two sides settle with the infringer required to pay the patent holder a reasonable royalty for each infringing unit. Of course there are exceptions to this. In any case those infringing units that were sold would continue to function properly for the buyer, who would not be considered an infringer. In a worst case scenario, assuming uAvionix stayed in business, it could be required to buy back all the units sold to remove them from the market and would be enjoined from further making and marketing the infringing unit. In my opinion this is not likely to happen. A compromise is the most likely outcome if the court finds infringement.
Long retired IP attorney.

8/21/2018 7:28 PM

Michael Marra

Joined: 3/26/2014

Posts: 706

Re: TSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft

Jim,

Many thanks for your analysis of the situation wrt the SkyBeacon vs. Garmin...that makes a lot of sense.

Clearly, not a good thing for aviation or probably for either of the companies....

I am poised to purchase this wingtip device...

Mike N714AJ

PS: Thanks for meeting us for lunch Selingsgrove and going to SKEETERS BBQ with us!

8/21/2018 8:11 PM

Rich Harrison

Joined: 4/21/2012

Posts: 190

Re: TSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft

I also see this as a play by Garmin. If they can get an injunction to stop the sale of the uAvionix units until the suit is settled, they might just drive them out of business. As we only have just over 16 months left until the deadline and this suit could likely take at least that long to settle, most potential buyers of the Sky/Tail Beacons would be forced to purchase more expensive and complicated solutions like Garmin's. Even if Garmin looses the battle (suit), I could see Garmin still winning the war.

Starting to have thoughts again about a no-electrical Aeronca Champ to fly around the Class Bravo airspace. No Transponder or ADS-B needed....

8/23/2018 1:43 PM

John Austin

Joined: 4/13/2013

Posts: 150

Re: TSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft Modified By John Austin on 8/23/2018 1:49:41 PM

Rich Harrison wrote:

I also see this as a play by Garmin. If they can get an injunction to stop the sale of the uAvionix units until the suit is settled, they might just drive them out of business. As we only have just over 16 months left until the deadline and this suit could likely take at least that long to settle, most potential buyers of the Sky/Tail Beacons would be forced to purchase more expensive and complicated solutions like Garmin's. Even if Garmin looses the battle (suit), I could see Garmin still winning the war.

Starting to have thoughts again about a no-electrical Aeronca Champ to fly around the Class Bravo airspace. No Transponder or ADS-B needed....

It was my understanding that uAvionix is a huge player in minaturized electronics (transponder, GPS, ADS-B, etc.) for the seemingly exponentially-expanding drone market and this foray into the experimental and certified aircraft market was not their primary business or primary source of revenue. "If" that is true, it seems unlikely this suit would drive them out of business, but I agree it sure isn't going to help - as Rich points out, they could miss the growing wave of installations as the deadline approaches.

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TSO skyBeacon - Certified Aircraft

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