China's leading consumer drone maker, DJI, has formally filed suit against rival Insta360, alleging disputes over ownership of six patents. The case, which also implicates several former core DJI research engineers, has been accepted by the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court.
In a public response on March 23, Insta360's founder and chief executive, Jingkang Liu, struck a defiant tone, saying the company would face the litigation without fear and respond through legal channels.
Liu said an internal review found that the patents in question stemmed from innovations developed by employees during their tenure at Insta360, rather than technology carried over from previous employers. Addressing a key point of contention—the ownership of patents filed within one year of an employee's departure from a prior company—Liu added that the firm had examined the staff members' research histories and that existing evidence indicates the technologies were independently developed in-house.
Liu also pushed back against criticism that the company had obscured inventors' names in domestic patent filings, describing the practice as common in the industry and intended to delay public disclosure of technical staff, thereby reducing the risk of poaching.
In a separate statement the same day, Insta360 said a preliminary review showed the patents were lawfully developed and compliant with regulations, and that most were not central to its core technologies. The company said it did not expect the dispute to have a material impact on its operations or finances, while emphasizing that it would respect intellectual property rights and judicial procedures even as it defends the legitimacy of its innovations.
Notably, Liu also turned the spotlight back on DJI, saying that in recent years some of its product features and designs had drawn market scrutiny for overlapping significantly with Insta360's own patents. Liu said the company had opted not to pursue legal action at the time, citing resource considerations, and instead focused on research and market expansion.
Looking ahead, Liu said Insta360 would remain focused on product development in 2026, with plans to roll out multiple new lines, including gimbal cameras, wireless audio equipment, and a next generation of drones.
Article edited by Jack Wu
