Pioneer announced that it has filed a complaint against Garmin International, Inc. (Garmin) and its associated company in the United States International Trade Commission, alleging Garmin's infringement of Pioneer's patents related to navigation technology. Pioneer seeks an exclusion order barring the importation of infringing Garmin products into the United States, and a cease and desist order preventing distribution of such products already in the United States.

Pioneer previously filed a complaint on October 9, 2009 against Garmin and its associated companies in the German District Court of Dusseldorf, alleging Garmin's infringement of Pioneer's patents related to navigation technology. Pioneer there seeks a court order enjoining sales of infringing Garmin products and compensation for the infringement of Pioneer's patents. Pioneer has licensed its navigation patent portfolio to other companies in this field of technology.

"Pioneer has been negotiating in good faith also with Garmin for a license to Pioneer's navigation patent portfolio. 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, "Pioneer said in a statement.

By pursuing this litigation, Pioneer is expecting Garmin to recognize its infringement of Pioneer's patent rights and the need to respect Pioneer's intellectual property.