Allegations of patent infringement for 360-degree cameras heat up

GUILDFORD, U.K.—Grandeye Ltd. filed a complaint on March 30 against Sentry 360 Security, Inc., alleging patent infringement, the misappropriation of trade secrets and breach of contract. In addition to injunctive relief, the company also seeks damages.

According to a statement put out by Grandeye, Sentry360 signed a nondisclosure agreement in 2006 to gain access to Grandeye's proprietary technology and is alleged to have violated that agreement by misappropriating Grandeye's information for use in its own products. 

 “Grandeye's management is determined to protect its intellectual property from the continued unlawful use by Sentry360,” said Paul Storm, partner, Storm LLP, a Dallas, Texas-based law firm that specializes in intellectual-property cases.

In response to the lawsuit, Sentry 360 released a statement on April 5 disputing the claims and stating that “it was extremely surprised that it was served with the Grandeye lawsuit.” The company claims that the lawsuit “is without legal basis and was wrongfully filed. Its press release concerning the lawsuit is similarly misleading.”

Sentry 360 also stated that it is “untrue” that the company signed a non-disclosure agreement with Grandeye in 2006. “Sentry 360 signed a limited confidentiality agreement in 2006 in order to become a reseller for products. No proprietary information was given by Grandeye or used by Sentry360,” read the statement. The patents about which Grandeye has filed the lawsuit were allegedly assigned to it by another party in December 2009, according to the statement.