Irish drone start-up Manna in patent row with Norwegian company

Nordic Unmanned has filed the case in the High Court in Dublin

Nordic Unmanned has filed its case in the High Court in Dublin.
Nordic Unmanned has filed its case in the High Court in Dublin.

Drone delivery start-up Manna is facing court action from drone systems and services provider Nordic Unmanned, in a row over patents.

The Norwegian company, which recently acquired German drone developer and manufacturer AirRobot, has filed the case in the High Court in Dublin.

It is understood to be in connection with a number of patents held by Nordic Unmanned that are due to run out within a few years, relating to a small part of the drone’s hardware. Nordic Unmanned is believed to have acquired the patents as part of the AirRobot deal.

Manna Drones did not comment on the matter.

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Founded in 2018 by entrepreneur Bobby Healy, Manna has developed aviation-grade drones that fly at 80km/h and deliver goods including groceries, takeaways and medicines, within a three-kilometre radius in less than three minutes.

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien

Ciara O'Brien is an Irish Times business and technology journalist