DJI accuses Insta360 of ‘blatantly’ copying its Pocket 3 vlogging camera in new lawsuit and seeks ban on Insta360 Luna cameras

Insta360 launched the Luna Ultra 8K vlogging camera on June 11
DJI filed a lawsuit the same day, claiming Luna had copied its DJI Pocket 3
Due to the ongoing DJI ban in the US, Insta360 could enjoy unparalleled availability there

No sooner has Insta360 unveiled its first vlogging cameras, the Luna Ultra and (upcoming) Luna Pro – which appear to enjoy unrivaled access to the US market due to the DJI ban – than DJI has filed a US Insta360 lawsuit, claiming they are “blatantly copying” its Pocket 3.

For years, DJI has enjoyed near total dominance of the compact vlogging camera market with its hugely popular Osmo Pocket series, but now it faces two very real challenges: access to the US market and the first serious rival product.

DJI’s latest and greatest vlogging camera, the Pocket 4, launched in April of this year, but the polished Pocket 3 successor has yet to make it to the US as DJI is on the FCC’s ‘Covered list’, which currently affects all DJI products with a camera, not just its drones. So it’s unlikely to hit US stores anytime soon.

The DJI / Insta360 rivalry just kicked up a notch

I spoke with Insta360 co-founder Max Richter at a pre-launch Luna event, and he told me the company “wouldn’t compete on price,” but on premium and exclusive features. Specifically, he referred to Luna’s innovative detachable remote control, which features a 2-inch OLED screen, camera controls and built-in microphone. Right now in the US, however, Insta360 doesn’t have to compete with DJI at all because it has a clear field in that market.

But Insta360 now faces a potential headache in the form of DJI’s lawsuit. Petapixel reports that DJI has filed two patent lawsuits against Arashi Vision Inc. — doing business as Insta360 — that covers two alleged infringements of design patents and four utility patents.

The lawsuit alleges that Luna cameras closely copy the design and features of the Osmo Pocket 3, alleging that “Insta360’s new Luna line of gimbal cameras, including but not limited to the Luna Ultra, supporting accessories, and the Insta360 mobile application (collectively, the “Accused Products”) blatantly copied DJI’s patented invention.”

The suit adds, “From its silhouette to its feature set, Accused Products reflects what DJI has spent the better part of a decade developing and patenting for its innovative handheld gimbal camera systems.

“The visual similarity between the accused products and the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 design is striking. [As shown below,] the accused products share the same general proportions, gimbal-on-handle architecture, and component arrangement as DJI’s Osmo Pocket 3.”

Insta360 Luna Ultra vlogging camera in hand, outdoors in a gray urban scene

And here is one of Luna Ultra. The Luna Pro is a single-lens alternative that has more in common with the Pocket 3 (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Regarding the four tool patents, DJI says that Insta360 Luna cameras and accessories “copy key features that make DJI Osmo Pocket unique in the market, including DJI’s innovative subject tracking technology, seamless gimbal mode switching that allows the camera’s shooting direction to follow the user’s movement of the handle, and a ‘locked shooting direction’ to maintain a fixed direction of movement.”

DJI was clearly ready with this lawsuit, as it was filed the day the Insta360 Luna Ultra became officially available for purchase at leading US stores, including B&H Photo.

Many US-based vloggers will likely be watching with interest – they’re already missing out on the excellent DJI Pocket 4, and they’ll have to hope they’re not also denied the chance to buy Insta360’s Luna cameras.

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