Genetec announces successful outcome over Sensormatic’s patent infringement claims
25 Julio 2024 - 8:10AM
Genetec Inc. (“Genetec”), a leading technology provider of unified
security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence
solutions, today announced that the lawsuit filed by Sensormatic
against Genetec has ended definitively in the company's favor with
Genetec exonerated of any patent infringement and with the court
awarding Genetec attorney fees.
Sensormatic Electronics, LLC (“Sensormatic”), a subsidiary of
Tyco International (“Tyco”), which is now merged with Johnson
Controls (“JCI”), filed suit against Genetec in Delaware in June
2020, alleging infringement of two patents, U.S. Patent No.
7,307,652 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Object Tracking and
Detection" ("the '652 patent"), and U.S. Patent No. 9,463,954
entitled “Access Control System for Override Elevator Control, and
Method Therefor" ("the '954 patent").
On January 3, 2023, the Court invalidated the '652 patent
following the Genetec motion for summary judgment. On February 15,
2023, Sensormatic unilaterally dismissed the remaining infringement
claims regarding the '954 patent with prejudice, leading to the
judge issuing a final judgment exculpating Genetec.
Following the final judgment in its favor, Genetec moved to have
its attorney fees awarded, which required the judge to find the
case “exceptional” under US patent laws. On March 27, 2024, the
Court found the case exceptional and found Genetec entitled to a
substantial portion of its attorney fees. The Court also ordered
that the parties meet to reach an agreement on the amount of
attorney's fees to be awarded, following which Genetec and
Sensormatic entered into an agreement regarding the amount to be
paid to Genetec, ending the litigation and terminating appeals.
This concludes all outstanding litigation between Sensormatic and
Genetec.
“We have stated in the past that Genetec considers this a simple
case of friendly fire, and this remains true. That said, we take
patent infringement accusations very seriously, even when they come
from a subsidiary of a partner,” said Pierre Racz, President of
Genetec Inc. “Genetec has a forward-facing approach to
development. We do not copy our peers but look to the future to
create technology that doesn’t exist yet. The successful conclusion
of this litigation is a vindication of our innovative approach to
product development.”
Genetec has always taken a firm stand against unjustified patent
lawsuits and seeking nullification of invalid patents and
restitutions in unfounded patent infringement claims. In 2020,
Genetec announced the favorable conclusion of a lawsuit brought by
a non-practicing entity (NPE) which ended with the NPE paying
Genetec in a settlement.
“Lawsuits like these can be seen as an accusation of plagiarism
so it is important that we set the record straight. Genetec has a
policy of vigorously defending itself against any patent case we
consider unjustified and to seek attorney fees awards in all such
cases. This outcome demonstrates to potential patent aggressors how
seriously we take these accusations of infringement,” said
Jean-Yves Pikulik, Director of Intellectual Property at Genetec
Inc.
Genetec was represented by Fish & Richardson P.C. in this
matter. Sensormatic was represented by Foley & Lardner LLP.
--ends--
About Genetec
Genetec Inc. is a global technology company that has been
transforming the physical security industry for over 25 years. The
company’s portfolio of solutions enables enterprises, governments,
and communities around the world to secure people and assets while
respecting individual privacy and the demand for operational
efficiency.Based on an open architecture, and built with
cybersecurity at their core, Genetec solutions can be implemented
on-premises, in the cloud, or in hybrid deployments. The company’s
flagship products, Genetec Security Center and Genetec Security
Center SaaS, unify core physical security functions, such as access
control, video surveillance, automatic license plate recognition
(ALPR), intrusion detection, communications, and analytics.
Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Genetec serves its customers
via an extensive network of certified channel partners and
consultants in over 159 countries.
For more information about Genetec, visit:
https://www.genetec.com
© Genetec Inc., 2024. Genetec and the Genetec logo are
trademarks of Genetec Inc. and may be registered or pending
registration in several jurisdictions. Other trademarks used in
this document may be trademarks of the manufacturers or vendors of
the respective product.
Veronique Froment
Genetec, Inc.
603-548-1429
veronique@highrezpr.com