News
Genetec indicates favourable conclusion in patent infringement case

Montreal-based Genetec said in a statement Tuesday that a patent infringement lawsuit initiated by a non-practicing entity (NPE) against the company was  withdrawn at an early stage and the NPE paid an undisclosed sum to Genetec.

Citing recent data, Genetec indicated that 90 per cent of high-tech patent litigation in 2019 occurred as a result of legal action from NPEs.

“Unlike the way many other companies deal with these sorts of attacks, we do not negotiate payment with patent trolls,” said Pierre Racz, president of Genetec, in a company statement. “Despite the potentially high cost of litigation, bending to their anti-innovation tactics only encourages their behaviour and, as a matter of principle, Genetec will always vigorously defend its technology and the hard work of the people who create it. Though we have quietly followed this course since the first patent troll arrived at our door, we felt that this occasion was a good time to speak out against this practice.”

“This represents an important symbolic victory for Genetec, and a clear demonstration of our policy of never paying nuisance value settlements,” said Jean-Yves Pikulik, director of intellectual property at Genetec. “While we would much rather spend our time patenting our innovations than fighting off patent trolls, we will continue to vigorously defend ourselves against NPEs and seek legal costs in lawsuits that we perceive as frivolous.”

According to Genetec, this resolution settles all outstanding claims by the NPE against the company.