"DJI welcomes competition, but is committed to protecting its intellectual property," a press release on the filing explained. "Friday's filing is a response to safeguard that investment, to protect customers and partners and to promote genuine innovation in this promising area."

Last August, Yuneec launched its 4K Typhoon drone to take on DJI's Phantom 3 Professional. Back at CES, the company revealed the Typhoon H what employs Intel tech to keep it from running into things. Obstacle avoidance is also a key feature for DJI's new Phantom 4. DJI's complaint doesn't get specific about which of the Chinese company's models infringe on its patents, only that its "products and technology" are the alleged culprits.