Chinese drone manufacturer DJI has filed a lawsuit challenging the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) decision to expand its Covered List and prohibit the company from importing new products into the U.S., as reported earlier by Reuters.
A DJI spokesperson shared the following statement with Precision Farming Dealer regarding the lawsuit:
DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, is challenging the Federal Communications Commission’s decision to prohibit DJI from marketing, selling, and importing new products into the United States. To protect its business and American consumers who rely on its products, DJI has filed a petition for review in the Ninth Circuit, contesting the FCC’s addition of DJI’s communications and video surveillance equipment to the Commission’s “Covered List.”
As outlined in the petition, the decision to list DJI’s products is procedurally and substantively flawed. The FCC can add products to the Covered List only when they present a national security threat, yet it has never identified any threat associated with DJI or its products. Despite repeated efforts to engage with the government, DJI has never been given the chance to provide information to address or refute any concerns. These procedural and substantive deficiencies violate the Constitution and federal law.
The listing also causes great harm to DJI and its customers. It carelessly restricts DJI’s business in the U.S. and summarily denies U.S. customers access to its latest technology, while users elsewhere continue to benefit. Americans across industries—including small business owners, public safety officers, farmers, and creators—have been and will continue to be affected, losing access to the tools they rely on to make a living and save lives.
DJI takes the security of its products very seriously. The company has long advocated for independent, objective review of its products. As part of our commitment to the U.S. market and our customers across numerous industries, we will continue to engage constructively with the FCC and other stakeholders.
The suit was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit on February 20.
