DJI and Insta360 have pulled the plug on their patent lawsuits in the United States. But instead of ending their legal battle, the rivals have shifted it home to China, where both companies are now accusing each other of infringing key camera technologies.
The latest round of lawsuits follows a legal saga that began after Insta360 unveiled its new Luna series gimbal camera earlier this year. DJI initially sued the company in the US, alleging that the Luna cameras infringed several patents related to its Osmo Pocket lineup. Insta360 responded with its own patent claims before both companies voluntarily dismissed their US lawsuits.
At the time, many observers wondered whether the two rivals had reached some form of settlement. Instead, it appears the legal battle simply shifted jurisdictions.
According to reports from Chinese media, Insta360 has now filed six separate patent counterclaims against DJI in multiple Chinese courts. The company alleges that DJI products, including panoramic cameras and handheld gimbals, infringe patents covering a range of technologies.
Those technologies reportedly include panoramic shooting and editing, bullet-time capture, thermal management systems, camera expansion solutions, and gimbal support technology — features that have become increasingly important in today’s action camera and creator-focused imaging products.
At the same time, Insta360 has petitioned the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) to invalidate several DJI patents that are central to the ongoing dispute.
DJI, meanwhile, has already launched its own legal offensive in China.
The drone maker has filed patent infringement lawsuits against Insta360’s Luna series products in multiple Chinese courts. One of the highest-profile cases, filed with the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court, is scheduled to be heard on August 3.
DJI alleges that the Luna cameras infringe several core invention patents related to handheld gimbals, camera control methods, detachable control devices, and stabilization technology — all key elements behind modern pocket-sized stabilized cameras.
In comments reported by Chinese publication The Paper, a source close to Insta360 stressed that filing and withdrawing lawsuits are normal legal strategies and should not be viewed as evidence that either company has a stronger case. The source added that patent disputes are ultimately decided through evidence and legal proceedings, saying Insta360 supports fair competition while continuing to focus on innovation.
This isn’t the first legal clash between the two companies. Earlier this year, DJI also sued Insta360 in China over drone-related patents following the launch of Insta360’s first panoramic drone. That case marked the beginning of what has rapidly evolved into a much wider intellectual property battle spanning multiple product categories.
Beyond the courtroom, Insta360 founder and chairman Liu Jingkang is also making it clear that the company intends to compete on technology rather than price.
Speaking during the company’s annual shareholder meeting, Liu described the current smart imaging market as “not a rational market,” criticizing the ongoing price competition between manufacturers.
He argued that price wars rarely create lasting competitive advantages, particularly in consumer electronics, where companies must continue investing in research and development to stay ahead.
Instead of relying on discounts, Liu said Insta360 plans to strengthen its position through product innovation, deeper investment in research and development, and increasingly sophisticated AI-powered imaging technologies.
Those comments echo statements he made earlier this year after DJI first sued the company over drone patents. At the time, Liu said that while legal disputes are common in the technology industry, Insta360 would continue prioritizing new products over courtroom battles.
According to Liu, the company still plans to launch several new product categories this year, including additional gimbal cameras, wireless microphones, and another drone.
The executive also outlined a broader vision for Insta360’s future business. Rather than remaining primarily a hardware manufacturer, Liu said the company wants to build a larger ecosystem that combines hardware, software, AI algorithms, cloud storage, and subscription services.
That strategy mirrors a growing trend across the consumer electronics industry, where recurring software revenue is becoming increasingly important alongside hardware sales.
Liu described AI investment as one of the company’s biggest priorities, saying Insta360 hopes to build a multi-billion-dollar business around imaging technology that extends well beyond cameras themselves.
For DJI, which has similarly expanded into action cameras, microphones, handheld gimbals, and portable power stations in recent years, the outcome of these cases could influence more than just individual products. The legal fight also highlights how closely the two companies now compete across multiple creator-focused product categories.
As Chinese courts begin hearing the cases over the coming months, the dispute is likely to become one of the most closely watched patent battles in the global imaging industry.
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