Taser Says VieVu's Legal Complaint Is 'Frivolous'

Vievu filed a complaint against TASER International, Inc. TASR in February alleging illegal conduct and tortious interference during a bid war for body camera contracts in Phoenix, Arizona.

The plaintiff, who ultimately lost the contract, said Taser illegally lobbied the client and violated the city’s solicitation transparency policy, but a Taser representative told Benzinga the lawsuit it "frivolous."

But Vievu, which declined to comment on the lawsuit itself, maintained its position.

"The public record is clear: Taser blatantly violated Phoenix's contract rules when it pressured City Council members and offered gifts to gain influence — to the point where officials had to threaten to disbar them completely if they continued," Vievu spokesperson John Collins told Benzinga. "The legal process is going to shine a bright light on Taser's underhanded tactics and hold them accountable."

Related Article: Taser Stands To Benefit As Police Departments Using Competitor Report Equipment Failures

A Precedent Of Legal Trouble

Taser had responded equally coolly to a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Digital Ally, Inc. DGLY in October. The battle is yet ongoing.

The competitors' legal pressure may help close the gap in an increasingly competitive market space, as acknowledged by Ladenburg Thalmann analyst Glenn Mattson.

"Though we still expect TASR will be the number one player in the market, we believe the competition is leveling the playing field quickly," Mattson wrote in a February 8 note.

Taser reported mixed earnings results Tuesday, and shares were trading down 6.1 percent at $24.11.