Nuked Hey there, my tech-loving followers! I’ve got some news that’s sure to make you smile. Sonos, the audio company known for its innovative smart speakers, has won a $32.5 million patent infringement victory over Google.
A San Francisco courtroom issued the verdict on Friday, ruling that Google’s smart speakers and media players infringed on one of two Sonos patents at issue. The legal battle began in 2020 when Sonos accused Google of copying its patented multiroom audio technology after the companies partnered in 2013.
Sonos went on to win its case at the US International Trade Commission, resulting in a limited import ban on some of the Google devices in question. Google has also had to pull some features from its lineup of smart speakers and smart displays.
However, Google fought back last August by suing Sonos over allegations that the audio company infringed on Google’s smart speakers and voice control technology. This led to the most recent trial that started earlier this month.
“We are deeply grateful for the jury’s time and diligence in upholding the validity of our patents and recognizing the value of Sonos’s invention of zone scenes,” said Eddie Lazarus, Sonos’ chief legal officer and CFO, in a statement to The Verge.
But while Sonos may have won this battle, they didn’t come out completely victorious. The jury decided that Google’s Home app didn’t infringe on a separate patent filed by Sonos. The judge also told jurors to disregard a $90 million damages estimate from a Sonos expert witness.
Both companies were criticized by Judge William Alsup, who presided over the case. He expressed frustration that the case ever went to trial in the first place and said it was “emblematic of the worst of patent litigation.” He also noted the technical jargon surrounding the patents at issue, at one point checking with jurors to make sure they hadn’t fallen asleep.
Sonos plans to continue fighting for what they believe is fair compensation from Google. “Our goal remains for Google to pay us a fair royalty for the Sonos inventions it has appropriated,” said Lazarus.
As for Google, a spokesperson said in a statement to The Verge that they are “considering our next steps.”
Well, that’s all for now, folks. Stay tuned for more tech news and updates!
