Genetec has definitively won a lawsuit filed by Sensormatic, with the court exonerating Genetec of any patent infringement and awarding the company attorney fees. 

Sensormatic Electronics, a subsidiary of Tyco International, which is now merged with Johnson Controls, filed suit against Genetec in Delaware in June 2020, alleging infringement of two patents: U.S. Patent No. 7,307,652 (“Method and Apparatus for Object Tracking and Detection") and U.S. Patent No. 9,463,954 entitled (“Access Control System for Override Elevator Control, and Method Therefor") 

On Jan. 3, 2023, the court invalidated the '652 patent following the Genetec motion for summary judgment. On Feb. 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 U.S. 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 the two companies 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. 

In an announcement, Genetec President Pierre Racz expressed: 

“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. 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.” 

Jean-Yves Pikulik, director of intellectual property at Genetec, said, such lawsuits can be perceived as allegations of plagiarism, making it crucial for the company to clarify the facts. 

“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,” Pikulik said. “This outcome demonstrates to potential patent aggressors how seriously we take these accusations of infringement.” 

Genetec was represented by Fish & Richardson P.C. in this matter. Sensormatic was represented by Foley & Lardner LLP.