Genetec resolves Sensormatic lawsuit

MONTRÉAL — 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 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, which it did on Mar. 27, 2024, entitling Genetec 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.

“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 noted that this concludes all outstanding litigation between Sensormatic and Genetec.

“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,” noted 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.