In a legal clash, Sonos has dealt a decisive blow to tech giant Google, resulting in a whopping $32.5 million penalty for infringing on Sonos’ patent. The case was built around Sonos’ patent that enables synchronized audio playback across multiple speakers, a core feature of Sonos’ technology for years.
The court, however, dismissed four other Patent Infringement Claims against Google
US District Judge William Alsup had previously ruled against Google, stating that early versions of their products, such as Chromecast Audio and Google Home, violated Sonos’ patent. However, the recent trial assessed whether Google’s later products continued to infringe on Sonos’ patent. To Sonos’ delight, the jury sided firmly with the audio technology company. Nevertheless, the jury found no violation regarding a second patent concerning device control via smartphones or other devices, as Sonos failed to convincingly establish that the Google Home app infringed upon it. Notably, the court dismissed four other patent infringement claims filed by Sonos.
Google responded by highlighting that the dispute focused on specific features with limited usage. The tech giant clarified that out of the six patents initially asserted by Sonos, only one was deemed infringed, while the remaining patents were either invalidated or found non-infringing. Google reiterated its commitment to independent technological development and fair competition based on idea merit. The company is currently evaluating its options and considering the next steps to take.
Sonos expressed profound gratitude for the jury’s decision, recognizing their dedication in upholding the validity of Sonos’ patents and acknowledging the value of Sonos’ pioneering invention of zone scenes. Sonos portrayed Google as a serial infringer of their patent portfolio, citing a previous ruling by the International Trade Commission that found Google in violation of five other Sonos patents. Sonos contends that Google infringes on over 200 of their patents, with the damages awarded in this case emphasizing the value of their intellectual property. Sonos remains resolute in seeking a fair royalty from Google for the use of their inventions.
The outcome of the Sonos vs. Google lawsuit represents a significant victory for Sonos. The ongoing legal battle between the two companies is likely to continue, with unresolved lawsuits and potential appeals on the horizon. This case serves as a reminder of the complexities and high stakes involved in intellectual property disputes within the tech industry. Earlier this month, Google had to pay $39.9 million for a location-tracking lawsuit as well.
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(Via)
