The lawsuit accuses Trend Micro of using Webroot's patented malware detection, network security, and endpoint protection technologies without authorization. Credit: Thinkstock Security endpoint protection vendor Webroot has filed a patent infringement complaint against competitor Trend Micro accusing it of implementing patented technology in its security software and systems without authorization. According to an official document from the Unites States District Court, Western District of Texas Waco Division, Webroot is seeking damages for lost sales, profits, and market share. The complaint has raised eyebrows within the sector and on social media.Webroot seeks damages against Trend Micro, claims lost sales and market shareWebroot has brought the action to seek damages for and to stop Trend Micro’s infringement of its patents in the judicial district and elsewhere in the United States from which it claimed to have lost sales, profits, and suffered irreparable harm including lost market share and goodwill, the complaint read. “This case involves patented technologies that helped to revolutionize, and have become widely adopted in, the fields of malware detection, network security, and endpoint protection” and are used in security products such as Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus, it continued.“Trend Micro’s infringing security software includes, but is not limited to, Apex One, Smart Protection Network, Deep Discovery XDR – Detection and response, Deep Discovery Endpoint Sensor, DeepSecurity, and Cloud One-Workload Security, (collectively, “Trend Micro Security Suite” or “Accused Products”),” the document stated. The complaint continued that Trend Micro has, directly and through its extensive network of partnerships, purposefully and voluntarily placed its infringing products and provided services into the stream of commerce with the intention and expectation that they will be purchased and used by customers in the district. Trend Micro has also performed these infringing acts through other entities such as resellers, managed service providers, and cybersecurity experts located in the district, it added. Webroot-Trend Micro patent infringement complaint causes Twitter stirWebroot’s patent infringement complaint against Trend Micro has caused quite a stir on social media, with users taking to Twitter to condemn Webroot’s actions. The official Twitter page for MalwareHunterTeam posted: “Webroot could not choose a better time to become a patent troll, right? Couldn’t see a good reason to use Webroot before this happened anyway, and now…” It added that Webroot’s “irreparable harm” may have only just begun due its own actions. Another user claimed that, while the case may earn Webroot “some nickels,” it will impact its ability to attract “real customers.”CSO will continue to follow this story and post updates. Related content brandpost Sponsored by Elastic Search + RAG: The 1-2 punch transforming the modern SOC with AI-driven security analytics AI is modernizing how SOCs function, triaging countless alerts down to a handful of attacks that matter most. By Mike Nichols, Product for Security at Elastic May 06, 2024 3 mins Artificial Intelligence how-to Download the Zero Trust network access (ZTNA) enterprise buyer’s guide From the editors of our sister publication Network World, this enterprise buyer’s guide helps network and security IT staff understand what ZTNA can do for their organizations and how to choose the right solution. By Josh Fruhlinger and steve_zurier May 06, 2024 1 min Zero Trust Access Control Network Security news Germany blames Russian hackers for months-long cyber espionage The attacks by Russia-backed Fancy Bear used an Outlook exploit to compromise several German officials’ accounts. By Shweta Sharma May 06, 2024 4 mins Advanced Persistent Threats Hacker Groups feature AI governance and cybersecurity certifications: Are they worth it? Organizations have started to launch AI certifications in governance and cybersecurity but given how immature the space is and how fast it's changing, are these certifications worth pursuing? By Maria Korolov May 06, 2024 12 mins Certifications IT Training Careers PODCASTS VIDEOS RESOURCES EVENTS SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe