ADT Accuses Amazon Subsidiary, Ring, of Copying Its Blue Octagon Symbol, Files Trademark Lawsuit

Sophie Webster, Tech Times 27 April 2021, 09:04 am

ADT, a popular home security company in the United States, is suing Amazon subsidiary Ring. ADT is claiming that the recent designs of Ring are a brazen copy of ADT's octagonal blue symbol.

ADT Files Lawsuit Against Ring

The firm cites that Ring's blue octagon outdoor siren is an example of trademark violation. In the filing, ADT lists a dozen of its trademark registrations dating back to the late '90s that feature a combination of blue and octagonal designs.

ADT claims that millions of its customers display this symbol to show that their homes use their security systems.

The security company further claims that Ring's use of blue octagons risks confusing customers and misleading them into thinking that the two companies are associated.

Also Read: Amazon Ring Doorbell Recall 2020: 350,000 Units Recalled Over Fire Hazards

In its filing, ADT pointed out the striking similarity is evidence that Ring is trying to reap the benefit of the goodwill associated with ADT's brand and reputation.

It adds that this type of confusion seriously undermines the goodwill that ADT has cultivated in its Famous Blue Octagon and irreparably harms the company.

Ring's outdoor siren called "Protected by Ring" was cited by ADT. The octagonal yard sign that the company started selling in 2016 is said to be the same as that of ADT's sign.

After ADT complained about the sign, Ring agreed to make its symbol less blue, and ADT took no further legal action at the time.

In the lawsuit, which was first reported by Bloomberg, ADT is asking the federal judge in Florida to order Ring to stop using the allegedly similar symbols in its products to prevent conflict with ADT.

The federal judge also ordered Ring to pay ADT cash compensation.

The Verge contacted a spokesperson from ADT to comment over the matter, and the spokesperson said that the company is determined to protect its customers, its employees, and its investors, along with its intellectual property and its reputation.

Amazon did not respond to request for a comment.

Company Conflict

ADT and Ring have butted heads in the past.

In 2017, before Ring was acquired by Amazon, ADT filed a lawsuit that claimed Ring had benefited from its trade secrets after acquiring a company ADT had previously invested in, Global Newswire reported.

The lawsuit led to a judge issuing a preliminary injunction on the sale of Ring's security system. The two companies reportedly ended up settling the suit the following year for $25 million.

Before these legal battles, the two companies had worked together on making their security systems compatible, and ADT showed off Ring's Video Doorbell working with its security system back in 2016.

ADT says it no longer actively promotes the Ring Video Doorbell, but will purchase it for customers who want to use it with its security system. But ADT still advertises that its system is very compatible with Amazon's Alexa assistant.

While its connection with Amazon's Ring has faltered, ADT received a $450 million investment from Google.

The internet giant previously sold a home security system under Nest, which is the company's sub-brand. Google stated it hopes its Nest devices will become the cornerstone of ADT's smart home offering.