Photo editing app maker VSCO has filed a lawsuit against PicsArt, accusing the competitor of reverse engineering some of VSCO’s photo filters. In the lawsuit, VSCO claims that at least 19 filters were copied thanks to PicsArt’s employees who created VSCO accounts specifically for this purpose.
VSCO explains that PicsArt is its direct competitor. In the lawsuit, VSCO refers to its terms of service, claiming that PicsArt violated them:
Furthermore, VSCO adds that as of 31 January current year, at least 17 PicsArt employees created VSCO accounts, which was reportedly obvious from their email addresses. After this, VSCO’s color scientists revealed that PicsArt offered at least 19 presets copied from VSCO. And how did they determine it? Here’s VSCO’s explanation as stated in the lawsuit: In February, VSCO reportedly sent a letter to PicsArt, asking them to remove the filters in question. In addition, they requested that PicsArt “provide an accounting of all profits and revenues generated from such filters.” Finally, they required that PicsArt identities all employees who have opened a VSCO account. It seems that VSCO isn’t suing for a specific sum. The lawsuit states that VSCO is “is entitled to an injunction against PicsArt, as well as all other remedies available under the Lanham Act.” This includes compensatory damages, disgorgement of profits, corrective advertising, and costs and attorneys’ fees. TechCrunch reports that PicsArt issued a statement, denying the suit’s claims: Still, PicsArt responded to the letter, and removed 17 out of 19 filters, according to the lawsuit. We’ll see how this unfolds and we’ll keep you posted. [via Android Police, TechCrunch]
