Biometrics integrator Genetec vanquishes patent troll, receives payment

Genetec, which integrates biometric technologies from a range of partners, has defeated a non-performing entity, otherwise known as a patent troll, and been paid an undisclosed sum to conclude the proceedings, the company announced.

Axcess International filed a suit against Genetec in August of 2018, alleging the access control vendor violated its patent for a “Method and system for providing integrated remote monitoring services.” The patent describes the integration of RFID and video data.

The complaint was withdrawn early in the process, and Axcess International paid to resolve the case, a highly unusual result, according to the announcement.

Patent trolls were involved in 90 percent of high-tech patent litigation cases in 2019, Genetec says, citing a Unified Patents report.

“Unlike the way many other companies deal with these sorts of attacks, we do not negotiate payment with patent trolls,” states Pierre Racz, president of Genetec Inc. “Despite the potentially high cost of litigation, bending to their anti-innovation tactics only encourages their behavior 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,” Genetec Director of Intellectual Property Jean-Yves Pikulik comments. “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.”

Axcess International had also filed the same complaint against ACTi Corp, Foxconn International, UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation and Lenel Systems International, and Bosch Security Systems.

Genetec is partnered with many biometrics providers, such as NtechLab, EyeLock and AnyVision.

Article Topics

access control  |  biometrics  |  Genetec  |  lawsuit  |  patents  |  research and development