Aug 17, 2021 11:00:00

International Trade Commission finds Google infringing Sonos patent on smart speaker

The US International Trade Commission has ruled that Google may infringe Sonos' patent in a proceeding between

Google and Sonos over a smart speaker patent. This is a preliminary decision, and the final decision will be made in December 2021, but if a settlement is not reached, not only smart speakers, but also smartphones that connect to speakers and use the same technology, Pixel and Chromecast Sales may also be suspended.

ITC Judge Decision Sonos v Google --DocumentCloud
https://embed.documentcloud.org/documents/21041851-itc-judge-decision-sonos-v-google/

A judge has ruled that Google infringed on Sonos' patents --The Verge

https://www.theverge.com/2021/8/13/22623977/sonos-google-patent-lawsuit-itc-judge-initial-ruling-infringement

Sonos gets early patent victory against Google smart speakers | Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/08/google-smart-speakers-infringe-on-sonos-patents-preliminary-itc-ruling-says/

Founded in 2001, Sonos is a manufacturer that handles only smart speaker products. In 2013, Sonos partnered with Google to support Google Play Music and shared multi-room speaker technology with Google. According to Sonos, Google uses the technology for Chromecast Audio, Pixel, etc. without permission. In January 2020, he filed a proceeding against Google for ignoring repeated warnings.

Audio company sues Google for 'Google infringed patent on smart speaker' --GIGAZINE

Google has also sued Sonos in response to Sonos' patent infringement lawsuit, resulting in a legal battle between the two companies in the United States, Germany, Canada, France and the Netherlands. In May 2021, a German court granted Google patent infringement and issued a provisional disposition ordering an injunction to sell products using Google Cast technology.

Google loses to audio maker Sonos, smart speaker patent infringement lawsuit-GIGAZINE

This time, the US International Trade Commission, like a German court, has determined that Google infringes five Sonos patents. The final decision will be made on December 13, 2021.