iControl Networks sues Alarm.com, FrontPoint Security

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.—Home technology provider iControl Networks on July 10 filed a patent infringement lawsuit against competitor Alarm.com and FrontPoint Security, an Alarm.com customer.

IControl software is used as a platform for security/home automation offerings by both traditional security companies, such as ADT, and cable/telecom companies, such as Time Warner and Comcast. In April, Telguard, a division of Telular Corporation, introduced its Telguard HomeControl interactive solution based on iControl Networks' software platform.

Competitor Alarm.com's software, on the other hand, is used by 2GIG Technologies.

The iControl lawsuit was filed six weeks after Alarm.com filed a lawsuit against Telular Corp., contending that Telular has been using Alarm.com's patent-protected products and services without permission as its own.

In its filing, iControl charges that Alarm.com and FrontPoint have infringed on up to six iControl patents.

The lawsuit names FrontPoint founders Chris Villar and Aaron Schumaker and security consultant Peter Rogers in the suit, saying that iControl and FrontPoint “entered into a mutual non-disclosure agreement with iControl and was then introduced to iControl's proprietary technology … including iControl's product roadmap.”

“Defendants have infringed and continue to infringe [by making and selling products and services] for monitoring and controlling security systems. These infringing products and services include at least the technology identified on defendants' websites related to interactive security systems,” according to the filing.

Jay Kenny of Alarm.com declined comment, but provided Security Systems News with the following company statement. “Alarm.com has not yet reviewed the claim and we have no specific comments at this time. For the past 13 years, Alarm.com has pioneered the creation of interactive and connected home products and services, and continues to lead the market with new and novel technologies.  We will vigorously defend this history of innovation and our intellectual property. “

Rogers did not respond to requests for comment by SSN's deadline.

The civil lawsuit was filed in U.S. District court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division. iControl is based here; Alarm.com is based in Vienna, Va.; and FrontPoint is based in McLean, Va. All three companies are incorporated in Delaware.