DJI Sues Insta360 for Patent Infringement as 360 Drone and Action Camera Rivalry Escalates

Industry News

by Nino LeitnerMarch 28^th, 2026

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DJI has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against rival Insta360 in China, alleging that six patents covering drone flight control, structural design, and image processing were developed by former DJI employees. The legal action came just days before DJI launched the Avata 360, its first 360-degree drone, in direct competition with Insta360’s Antigravity A1.

The lawsuit, filed with the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court, where both companies are headquartered, marks a significant escalation in what has become one of the most closely watched rivalries in the consumer imaging and drone space. For filmmakers and content creators who rely on products from both companies, the outcome could shape competition, innovation, and product availability across 360 cameras, action cameras, and drones for years to come.

The patents at the center of the dispute

DJI’s case focuses on six patents spanning drone flight control, structural design, and image processing technologies. According to reports from Chinese outlets including Jiemian and Securities Times, DJI alleges that some of these patents were based on inventions made by former DJI employees within one year of their departure from the company.

Under Chinese intellectual property law, innovations created within one year of an employee’s departure, if related to their previous regular duties, are legally considered the property of the original employer. DJI is seeking to have those patents transferred to its ownership and has also accused Insta360 of failing to properly disclose the inventors associated with the disputed patents.

Insta360 responds with counterclaims

Insta360 founder and CEO Liu Jingkang (also known as JK Liu) responded publicly on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, stating that after an internal review of the concerned patents, all ideas and innovations were independently created at Insta360.

On the flight control patent, which Liu identified as the only one with potential relevance, he stated that it covers a one-button FPV-style “building dive” effect, and that the idea originated with him personally. He added that the feature was never implemented in any Insta360 product due to current flight restrictions.

Regarding DJI’s accusation that Insta360 concealed the identities of patent inventors, Liu explained this as standard practice. According to him, many Insta360 patents initially hide inventor names during domestic filings and only disclose them during the PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) international filing phase, in order to protect employees from being targeted by headhunters. Liu noted that many patents filed by non-DJI employees were handled in exactly the same way.

He further pointed out that most of the drone-related patent applications involved in the lawsuit were filed four to five years ago and have not been used in current products.

A broader competitive battle

The timing of DJI’s legal action is hard to ignore. The lawsuit became public just three days before DJI launched the DJI Avata 360, its first 360-degree FPV drone featuring dual 1-inch-type sensors and 8K 60fps capture. The product enters a niche that Insta360’s subsidiary Antigravity pioneered with the A1 drone, which launched as an 8K 360 drone priced from $1,599.

The competitive dynamic between DJI and Insta360 has intensified rapidly over the past year. In mid-2025, DJI entered the 360-degree camera market for the first time with the DJI Osmo 360, going head-to-head with Insta360’s established X5 lineup. Shortly after, DJI released the Osmo Nano, a compact camera widely compared to Insta360’s Go Ultra. Meanwhile, Insta360 moved into drone territory with the Antigravity brand, challenging DJI on its home turf.

According to market research firm IDC, DJI accounted for 62 percent of the global handheld smart camera market in 2025, including action cameras and 360-degree models, with Insta360 and GoPro holding roughly 20 and 11 percent respectively. However, Insta360 maintains its leading position in the dedicated 360-degree camera segment.

Not the first patent fight for Insta360

Insta360 is no stranger to patent litigation. Just last month, the company emerged from a U.S. ITC patent case brought by GoPro, in which all five of GoPro’s utility patent claims were dismissed. While GoPro won on a design patent covering the shape of its camera, the exclusion order applied only to discontinued Insta360 Ace series models no longer sold in the U.S. Insta360’s current lineup remained unaffected.

In his Weibo statement, Liu drew a parallel between the two cases, suggesting that established players resort to legal tactics when they lose market share. He claimed that Insta360 had identified 28 of its own patents that DJI products could potentially infringe upon, spanning hardware, software, control methods, and accessories, but chose not to pursue litigation.

Liu stated that Insta360 prioritizes R&D investment over legal disputes, noting that the company recorded its fastest growth and highest revenue in Q4 2025. He also announced that Insta360 plans to launch seven to eight new products this year, including gimbal cameras, lavalier microphones, and another drone.

DJI vs. Insta360 – what does the rivalry mean for filmmakers?

For working filmmakers and content creators, the DJI vs. Insta360 rivalry has produced tangible benefits: more competitive pricing, faster innovation cycles, and a broader range of tools spanning 360 cameras, action cameras, FPV drones, and pocket gimbals. Whether this lawsuit disrupts that momentum remains to be seen.

The case is now with the Shenzhen court, and both sides have signaled they are prepared for a prolonged legal process. Insta360’s stock dropped nearly 7 percent following the news. DJI, a privately held company, faces no equivalent market pressure.

For now, products from both companies remain available, and both are actively expanding their lineups. The outcome of this dispute could set important precedents for how employee-generated patents are handled in China’s fast-moving tech sector.

With DJI and Insta360 now competing across drones, 360 cameras, and action cameras while simultaneously fighting in court, what does this mean for the future of affordable, innovative creator tools? And should filmmakers be concerned about potential product restrictions if this case escalates? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!