DJI sues FCC over ‘flawed’ ban on new US drone sales

The world’s largest drone manufacturer is once again taking the US government to court, marking a definitive escalation in a long-running saga of national security, trade protectionism, and technological dominance. DJI has formally filed an appeal with the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The petition targets a December 23, 2025, decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to place the company on its “covered list” — a move that effectively bans the authorization and sale of all new DJI drone models in the United States.

In its filings, DJI argues that the FCC’s decision is fundamentally flawed, the Global Times has learnt. The company contends that the agency failed to provide substantive evidence that its products pose a genuine threat to US national security.

“Despite repeated efforts to engage with the government, DJI has never been given the chance to provide information to address or refute any concerns,” the company said in a statement. “Such action not only contravenes the principles of due process but also may violate the US Constitution and relevant federal laws.”

The FCC’s December ruling was far-reaching, barring imports of new foreign-made drones and critical components. While the ban is not retroactive — meaning current owners can still fly their existing aircraft — it effectively creates a “sunset” for DJI’s presence in the US market by preventing the release of newer, safer, and more efficient models.

But this DJI lawsuit is far from an isolated incident. In fact, it is the latest chapter in a multi-year legal war between the Shenzhen-based giant and Washington regulators.

1. The Pentagon battle (2024-2025): In October 2024 and again in 2025, DJI sued the US Department of Defense (DoD) after being designated as a “Chinese Military Company” under Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act. While a federal judge recently upheld the listing in September 2025, the court rejected several of the DoD’s specific claims, finding no evidence that DJI is owned or controlled by the Chinese Communist Party.
2. The Entity List (2020): DJI has been on the Department of Commerce’s Entity List since 2020, which restricted its access to US components.
3. Patent litigation: Beyond national security, DJI has fought domestic legal battles, including a 2023 case where a jury ordered the company to pay $279 million in damages to Textron over flight-control patents — a verdict DJI continues to dispute.

By suing the FCC now, DJI is attempting to prevent the “covered list” from becoming the final nail in the coffin for its US operations.

More: Chinese drone ban update: Why DJI is still stuck, when many others are not

The impact of the FCC’s decision has been immediate and visceral. In the weeks following the late-2025 announcement, reports emerged of “panic stockpiling” across the United States. From Hollywood cinematographers to industrial farmers in the Midwest, users are scrambling to buy existing inventory. DJI currently commands over 70% of the US commercial and consumer drone market. For many, there is simply no “Western” alternative that matches DJI’s price point and capability.

The agricultural sector has been particularly vocal. Many US farmers rely on DJI’s Agras drone series for precision crop spraying. Without access to new models or critical components, many fear their specialized service businesses will collapse.

Perhaps the most significant impact is on American law enforcement. More than 80% of the 1,800+ state and local law enforcement agencies in the US utilize DJI drones for search and rescue, accident reconstruction, and tactical overwatch. While the “covered list” allows agencies to keep their current fleets, the lack of future software updates and replacement parts creates a looming “technological cliff.” If DJI fails in its legal challenge, these agencies may be forced to transition to more expensive, less familiar systems, potentially stretching already thin municipal budgets.

The Chinese government has framed the FCC’s move as a transparent attempt to stifle a successful global competitor. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian recently called on the US to “stop its wrong practice and create a fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese companies.”

As the Ninth Circuit prepares to hear the case, the American drone industry remains in a holding pattern. The outcome will decide more than just the fate of one company; it will determine whether the US can successfully build a domestic drone industry from scratch, or if it has simply grounded its most essential tools in the name of a security threat that DJI claims has never been proven.

More: Texas sues Anzu over alleged DJI drone deception