Tyco International

Genetec Inc., a pioneering technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, announced that the lawsuit filed by Sensormatic against Genetec had ended definitively in the company's favor with Genetec exonerated of any patent infringement and with the court awarding Genetec attorney fees. Sensormatic Electronics, LLC, a subsidiary of Tyco International, which is now merged with Johnson Controls, filed suit against Genetec in Delaware in June 2020, alleging infringement of two patents, U.S. Patent No. 7,307,652 entitled “Method and Apparatus for Object Tracking and Detection" ("the '652 patent"), and U.S. Patent No. 9,463,954 entitled “Access Control System for Override Elevator Control, and Method Therefor" ("the '954 patent"). Litigation between Sensormatic and Genetec On January 3, 2023, the Court invalidated the '652 patent following the Genetec motion for summary judgment. On February 15, 2023, Sensormatic unilaterally dismissed the remaining infringement claims regarding the '954 patent with prejudice, pioneering to the judge issuing a final judgment exculpating Genetec. The court found the case choice and found Genetec entitled to a substantial portion of its attorney fees Following the final judgment in its favor, Genetec moved to have its attorney fees awarded, which required the judge to find the case “exceptional” under US patent laws. On March 27, 2024, the Court found the case exceptional and found Genetec entitled to a substantial portion of its attorney fees. The Court also ordered that the parties meet to reach an agreement on the amount of attorney's fees to be awarded, following which Genetec and Sensormatic entered into an agreement regarding the amount to be paid to Genetec, ending the litigation and terminating appeals. This concludes all outstanding litigation between Sensormatic and Genetec. Nullification of invalid patents “We have stated in the past that Genetec considers this a simple case of friendly fire, and this remains true. That said, we take patent infringement accusations very seriously, even when they come from a subsidiary of a partner,” said Pierre Racz, President of Genetec Inc. “Genetec has a forward-facing approach to development. We do not copy our peers but look to the future to create technology that doesn’t exist yet. The successful conclusion of this litigation is a vindication of our innovative approach to product development.” Genetec announced the favorable conclusion of a lawsuit brought by a non-practicing entity Genetec has always taken a firm stand against unjustified patent lawsuits and seeks the nullification of invalid patents and restitutions in unfounded patent infringement claims. In 2020, Genetec announced the favorable conclusion of a lawsuit brought by a non-practicing entity (NPE) which ended with the NPE paying Genetec in a settlement. Accusations of infringement “Lawsuits like these can be seen as an accusation of plagiarism so it is important that we set the record straight. Genetec has a policy of vigorously defending itself against any patent case we consider unjustified and to seek attorney fees awards in all such cases. This outcome demonstrates to potential patent aggressors how seriously we take these accusations of infringement,” said Jean-Yves Pikulik, Director of Intellectual Property at Genetec Inc. Genetec was represented by Fish & Richardson P.C. in this matter. Sensormatic was represented by Foley & Lardner LLP.

Everon, also known as ADT Commercial, a pioneering security integrator and premier provider of commercial security, fire and life safety in the U.S., announced its executive leadership team since the recent completion of its acquisition by GTCR. Everon draws on an outstanding legacy of service excellence that is strengthened by over a decade of industry expertise, with many leaders having spent the majority of their careers in the industry. The organization’s executive leadership team—led by Dan Bresingham, Chief Executive Officer—is no exception. GTCR’s acquisition Bresingham is a longtime veteran of the commercial security industry, with nearly 20 years Bresingham himself is a longtime veteran of the commercial security industry, with nearly 20 years of leadership experience that spans finance, sales strategy, go-to-market planning and operations. He most recently served as the President for ADT Commercial prior to GTCR’s acquisition in October 2023, and has also held high-level leadership positions with HSM Security, STANLEY Security, and Protection 1.  “I’ve always said that we have the most exceptional individuals in the industry pioneering and working for this organization,” Bresingham said. “When I look at the leadership team we’ve assembled, I’m confident that their unparalleled talent, knowledge, and commitment to excellence will play a pivotal role in propelling Everon to new heights.” Everon’s executive leadership Led by Bresingham, Everon’s executive leadership team includes: Mike McWilliams, President & Chief Operating Officer McWilliams has spent over 30 years in the fire and life safety industry, most recently serving as Sr. Vice President, Field Operations for ADT Commercial. Previously, he was President and CEO of Red Hawk Fire & Security, prior to and through its acquisition by ADT in December 2018, and has held leadership positions with SimplexGrinnell and Tyco International. Mark Foley, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Foley brings more than 30 years of industry experience to his role with Everon, previously serving as the Chief Financial Officer for ADT Commercial. His experience includes high-level positions for Tyco International and Red Hawk Fire & Security. Ken Teifer, Executive Vice President, Sales Teifer has spent nearly 35 years in the commercial security industry, and most recently held the position of Sr. Vice President, Sales for ADT Commercial. He’s been a prominent sales leader across the industry, including experience with STANLEY Security and Sonitrol. Ryan Fritts, Chief Information Officer Fritts is a nearly 20-year veteran of the commercial security and cybersecurity space, with extensive experience in security, product, technology and software delivery. He most recently served as the Chief Information Security Officer for ADT, and has previously held technology leadership positions with STANLEY Security and Protection 1. Kasia Moore, Chief Legal Officer Moore brings nearly 20 years of corporate legal experience to her role with Everon, previously serving as Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, Commercial for ADT. Prior to leading ADT Commercial’s legal team and strategy, Moore held various legal leadership roles at Carrier, United Technologies and Lennox.  Julie Perkinson-Carpenter, Chief Human Resources Officer Perkinson-Carpenter has over 25 years of experience as a creative and collaborative HR professional. Her recent role was Vice President, Human Resources at ADT, and she has held various leadership positions within ADT over her career. Beth Tarnoff, Chief Marketing Officer Tarnoff has been an award-winning marketing leader in the commercial security space for nearly 20 years, and most recently held the position of Vice President, Marketing & Communications for ADT Commercial. Prior to ADT Commercial, she led marketing programs at STANLEY Security and HSM Security.  Jay Robertson, Sr. Vice President, Organization Transition Robertson is a 20-plus year veteran of the security industry, spending most of his career at ADT and Protection 1. He most recently served as the Sr. Vice President, Product Management for ADT Commercial, and prior to that, held the position of Sr. Vice President, Product Marketing for ADT. Ed Bacco, Vice President, Emerging Technologies Bacco brings more than 30 years of security management, physical security and project management experience and expertise to his role with Everon. He previously held the same position with ADT Commercial, and throughout his career has served in leadership roles for Aronson Security Group, Amazon and the National Transportation Security Operation Center. Author's quote “Over the years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the value that these leaders can bring — not only to our organization, but the industry as a whole,” Bresingham continued. “Their experience, expertise, and determination are unmatched, and I know they’ll be central to our success at Everon." Customer-driven service excellence Everon was built over the last decade by some of the most trusted names in commercial security. In that time, teams remained focused on providing comprehensive, scalable solutions to address the unique needs of mid-market, national and large-scale organizations, and established a new industry standard for customer-driven service excellence and delivery.  With GTCR’s acquisition of ADT Commercial in October 2023, Everon has emerged as an innovator and service excellence champion protecting commercial people, property, and assets across industries.

The Monitoring Association (TMA) welcomed the Seattle WA Community Safety & Communications Centre (CSCC), The Bell County TX Communications Centre, and the Crawford County Department of Public Safety, which are the 128th, 129th, and 130th Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) in the United States to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP). Launched in 2011 as a public-private partnership, TMA’s ASAP service is designed to increase the accuracy and efficiency of calls for service from alarm monitoring centers to Emergency Communication Centres (ECCs). The Seattle WA CSCC became the 6th ECC in the state of Washington to implement ASAP. The Center went live with Vector Security, Rapid Response Monitoring, Guardian Protection, Securitas, Security Central, DynaMark Monitoring, Affiliated Monitoring, Tyco (Johnson Controls), Vivint, Brinks Home Security, National Monitoring Centre, Securitas (Stanley Div), Protection One and ADT during the week of June 5th. Implement the ASAP Bell Communications Center became the 15th ECC in the state of Texas to implement the ASAP The Bell County TX Communications Centre became the 15th ECC in the state of Texas to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP). The ECC went live the week of June 13, 2023, with Vector Security, Rapid Response Monitoring, Vivint, DynaMark Monitoring, Security Central, Securitas (Stanley Div), Tyco (Johnson Controls), United Central Control, Protection One, Affiliated Monitoring, Securitas, Brinks Home Security, National Monitoring Centre, Alert 360, and Guardian Protection. ADT is planning to go live in the next few weeks. The Crawford County Department of Public Safety became the 7th ECC in the state of Pennsylvania to implement the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP). The ECC went live the week of June 19, 2023, with: Rapid Response Monitoring, Vector Security, Johnson Controls, Securitas (Stanley Div), Securitas, Quick Response, Doyle Security, DynaMark Monitoring, United Central Control, Protection One, National Monitoring Centre, Vivint, Brinks Home Security, Guardian Protection, Affiliated Monitoring, and ADT.