DJI and Insta360 Sue Each Other Over Pocket Camera Patents

The patent battle between DJI and Insta360 erupted practically on the day Insta360 introduced its flagship Luna Ultra camera. Both parties are now seeking a sales ban on competing models and damages in court.

DJI Attacked First

DJI filed two lawsuits on June 11 in the federal court in Eastern Texas. It claims that Luna Pro and Luna Ultra cameras fundamentally copy the patented solution of the Osmo Pocket series – from the elongated body with a neck and gimbal to the rotating display, control wheel, and shutter button. In addition to two design patents, it asserts four utility patents related to object tracking and gimbal control with a single element.

For patent infringement, DJI demands a court injunction on the sale of Luna cameras, damages, disgorgement of profits, and increased compensation for allegedly willful conduct. According to Engadget, this is not the first clash between the two companies this year – they were previously said to have sued each other over employee poaching.

Insta360 Counters with Its Own Patents

Insta360 denied the accusations and filed a counterclaim itself. It claims that DJI, on the contrary, infringes five of its utility patents – including those for image stabilization, directional gimbal control, and telemetry overlay. Among the allegedly problematic products, it lists Osmo Pocket, Ronin and RS stabilizers, the Osmo Mobile series, and the Osmo 360 camera.

DJI and Insta360 Sue Each Other Over Pocket Camera Patents Adam Kurfürst News Adam Kurfürst News

The company also denies copying from competitors. According to Insta360, the Luna Ultra camera is based on its own development since 2020 and builds upon earlier products like ONE R, Link webcams, and Flow gimbals. Founder JK Liu sharply criticized DJI: the lawsuits filed on the day of Luna’s launch “allegedly demonstrate fear of competition.”

Battle for the Pocket Camera Market

The dispute takes place in a segment that has been growing rapidly in recent years – compact cameras for content creators. The Luna Ultra model with a Leica lens and a price of 17,890 Kč is aimed directly against the upcoming Osmo Pocket 4P. The situation is further complicated by the fact that DJI faces regulatory sales restrictions in the US, giving it a strong interest in that market.

Who do you think has the upper hand in this dispute – and would you opt for Luna or Osmo Pocket?

Sources: PetaPixel, Engadget, GSMArena, Insta360 (PR)