Devops Engineer

SkyBell Technologies v. Alarm.com: reverse engineering prohibitions and the statute of limitations discovery rule in Trade Secrets litigation. March 24, 2026 When confronted with defense arguments that the alleged misappropriation should have been discovered sooner with reasonable diligence and as such the claims were time-barred, the Eastern District of Virginia holds that the plaintiff, SkyBell, prevails due in part to contractual restrictions limiting Alarm.com's permitted uses of licensed - and allegedly misappropriated - SkyBell technology; and that, without the benefit of hindsight the court can not conclude SkyBell was on notice. SkyBell Technologies, Inc. brought claims against Alarm.com, Inc. under the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) and the Virginia Uniform Trade Secrets Act (VUTSA) for alleged misappropriation of trade secrets related to video doorbell technology. SkyBell, founded in 2013, developed proprietary technology for connected video doorbells, including backend platform software enabling secure communication between doorbells, home security systems, and smartphones. In November 2015, the parties entered into a Development and Integration Agreement (DIA) under which SkyBell manufactured video doorbells for Alarm.com and granted Alarm.com a term-limited license to access SkyBell's trade secrets for purposes of integrating the doorbells with Alarm.com's home security platform. The DIA required Alarm.com to maintain the confidentiality of SkyBell's trade secrets and prohibited both parties from reverse engineering the other's software or creating derivative works of it. SkyBell unilaterally terminated the DIA in October 2022, effective November 2022. SkyBell alleged that, after the DIA's termination, Alarm.com released competing doorbells that were "blatant knockoffs" of SkyBell's products, incorporating SkyBell's proprietary technology. SkyBell further alleged that Alarm.com had been poaching SkyBell employees for years based on their knowledge and use of SkyBell's trade secrets. Alarm.com moved to dismiss, arguing that SkyBell's claims were barred by the three-year statute of limitations applicable under both the DTSA and the VUTSA. Both statutes require that a claim be brought within three years after the alleged misappropriation "is discovered or by the exercise of reasonable diligence should have been discovered." Alarm.com contended that the information underlying SkyBell's claims was available to SkyBell well before the July 3, 2022, time-bar date - specifically, that SkyBell knew it had entrusted its trade secrets to a company that lacked native doorbell engineering capability, that Alarm.com had been hiring SkyBell's employees, and that Alarm.com had launched its own competing doorbells. Alarm.com argued that if SkyBell had investigated these facts, it would have discovered the alleged similarities in source code, protocols, and other technologies that formed the basis of the Complaint. SkyBell countered that Alarm.com's doorbell sales during the DIA could not have triggered a duty to investigate because the DIA expressly permitted Alarm.com to use SkyBell's trade secrets in connection with Alarm.com's products for the duration of the agreement, which did not terminate until November 2022. On this theory, any misappropriation did not begin until after the DIA expired, making the Complaint timely. Case information. SkyBell Technologies, Inc. v. Alarm.com, Inc., No. 1:25-cv-01105 (RDA/WBP) (E.D. Va. 2026) Plaintiff: SkyBell Technologies, Inc. Defendant: Alarm.com, Inc. Judge: Hon. Rossie D. Alston Jr. Analysis and outcome. The court began by noting the general rule that a statute of limitations defense is an affirmative defense that is "more properly reserved for consideration on a motion for summary judgment," and that dismissal on this basis is appropriate only in the "relatively rare circumstances where facts sufficient to rule on an affirmative defense are alleged in the complaint." Applying this framework, the court denied Alarm.com's motion to dismiss. Critically, the court held that even if the DIA did not give Alarm.com a license to use SkyBell's trade secrets in its own products, SkyBell could not reasonably have been expected to investigate further because SkyBell was itself contractually bound under the DIA not to "decompile, disassemble, or otherwise reverse engineer [Alarm.com's] software or attempt to discover any source code or underlying ideas or algorithms of [Alarm.com's] software." The court emphasized that Alarm.com did not dispute that the kind of investigation it argued SkyBell should have conducted would have required SkyBell to breach this contractual provision. Nor did Alarm.com cite any authority supporting the proposition that "reasonable diligence" requires a would-be plaintiff to breach its own contractual obligations. The court also rejected the argument that employee poaching should have put SkyBell on notice. The allegations in the Complaint were too minimal to establish notice: it was unclear when the poaching began, who was involved, what roles they held, or whether there was reason to suspect they had taken trade secrets. Moreover, SkyBell alleged that it had required departing employees to agree to protect its trade secrets and to return any confidential information during the offboarding process. Viewing these facts in the light most favorable to SkyBell, the court found that SkyBell had gone "to great lengths to protect its trade secrets" and that, without the benefit of hindsight, the court could not conclude that these allegations established that SkyBell was on notice. Key takeaway. This decision offers a notable addition to the statute of limitations reasonable diligence jurisprudence under the DTSA and VUTSA. Plaintiffs confronted with disputes regarding when they should have discovered trade secret misappropriation sooner should consider whether defendant's own behavior, to include contractual restrictions, would have prevented them from conducting the very investigation that the defendant argues should have occurred. A reverse engineering prohibition in the parties' own agreement, combined with affirmative reassurances from the defendant, may together suffice - at least at the motion to dismiss stage.

Alarm.com AI innovations at ISC West 2026. 24 Mar 2026 Quick Read Summary is AI-generated, newsdesk-reviewed * Alarm.com to showcase AI innovations and unified security platform at ISC West 2026. * Platform integrates security, automation, and energy management with AI features like AI Video Event Search. * Alarm.com expands video monitoring with next-gen cameras and integration with CHeKT platform. Alarm.com is set to showcase its latest AI-driven platform enhancements and product innovations at ISC West 2026, following a remarkable year in which the company surpassed $1 billion in annual revenue. As global demand for smarter, more connected protection continues to rise in both residential and commercial settings, Alarm.com remains committed to scaling its unified platform to meet this need. Comprehensive cloud-based platform. The company offers an integrated cloud-based platform that encompasses security, video, access control, automation, energy management, and professional monitoring, designed to accommodate individual properties and multi-site deployments. These features enable service providers to deliver proactive protection and streamlined operations, fostering long-term recurring revenue. "Alarm.com is operating at global scale, and our platform innovation reflects that," said Dan Kerzner, President of Platforms Business at Alarm.com. "We're focused on practical, privacy-first AI, a broad ecosystem of third-partners, and purpose-built hardware that help partners grow while delivering meaningful protection for customers." AI-Powered privacy-focused features. AI Video Event Search lets users find activity in recorded clips using natural language queriesAlarm.com continues to expand its AI capabilities, introducing features like AI Video Event Search and AI Access Assist alongside enhancements to AI Deterrence (AID). These innovations aim to increase awareness and efficiency while ensuring customer control over AI functionalities. AI Video Event Search allows users to locate activity in saved video clips via natural language queries, such as "package delivery yesterday" or "kids with bicycles today." Available on Premium Video and Commercial Video Plus plans, this feature ensures only authorized users can perform searches, with options to exclude certain cameras. Advanced access control and Deterrence. At ISC West, Alarm.com will demonstrate AI Access Assist and updated AID capabilities. AI Access Assist simplifies user, credential, and schedule management through natural language commands, while AID has been enhanced with adaptive messaging and progressive responses, allowing it to address real-world details like clothing color or behavior. Next-Generation video solutions. Alarm.com will also introduce an expanded portfolio of next-generation cameras, including the Volt Series(TM), Foundation Series, Core Series, and Prism Series(TM), all designed for faster installation, broader coverage, and superior video services. The Volt Series(TM) offers battery-powered cameras and doorbells for wire-free installation, and the Foundation Series provides a cost-effective camera option to boost multi-camera adoption. The Core Series now features improved speakers, integrated spotlights, and Video Analytics 2.0, while the Prism Series(TM) offers 8MP resolution with superior low light color performance using VividNight(TM) technology. Enhanced video monitoring with CHeKT. Alarm.com will spotlight its enhanced integration with CHeKT, a premier remote video monitoring platform, during ISC West. This integration, which combines Alarm.com video and alarm events with CHeKT's monitoring portal, aims to optimize operator workflows, reduce false alarms, and improve response times. CHeKT supports an open framework and is compatible with numerous video solutions. Comprehensive commercial and safety solutions. Alarm.com introduces solutions for site protection across various environments Expanding its platform offerings, Alarm.com introduces solutions for site protection across various environments, including the Fire Communicator and Mobile Security Trailers. The Fire Communicator offers modernized commercial fire monitoring with real-time alerts, while the Mobile Security Trailers provide rapidly deployable video surveillance and monitoring for temporary locations, with customizable leasing options. In its commitment to connected home and personal safety, Alarm.com introduces the ADC T25 Smart Thermostat for intelligent HVAC control and in-app Safety Button for 24/7 mobile personal safety, featuring a new Check-In feature to automatically escalate unconfirmed safety checks to trained operators. Alarm.com will be present at ISC West 2026, Booth 14039, offering live demonstrations, hands-on product previews, partner success stories, and insights into upcoming innovations.