Report: ZigBee, Z-Wave, Other RF Home Control Technologies Face Litigation Risk

Mountain View, CA -- The manufacturers of Home Control and Automation products based on ZigBee, Z-Wave, and other RF-only technologies face significant litigation risk from a major industry participant. A new Report by WTRS, "Residential Wireless Control Network IP and Patent Report," examines in depth the substantial business impact of litigation on this market segment.

The typical deterrents to acceptance of Home Control and Automation technologies are readily identified as low reliability, high cost, difficult installation and use, as well as the absence of an easily identifiable end customer value proposition. A previously unidentified risk, more difficult to overcome and hence more deadly to the industry and its innovation sector, is the control of key intellectual property assets covering RF-only solutions by the Lutron Corporation.

"Lutron owns a significant portfolio of patents and other intellectual property, including brand names, industrial designs and product dress, and their use of this portfolio to protect their business is very impressive," says Dr Kirsten West, Principal Analyst of WTRS. Lutron seems to be playing their cards very close to their chest, and with admirable skill and success. "Lutron is quietly but successfully protecting their intellectual property assets in the area of wireless lighting control; any company that hopes to establish markets in this field ignores Lutron at their peril. To be aware of Lutron's tactics and expertise is just plain smart business," says West.

SOURCE: West Technology Research Solutions, LLC