Smart speaker maker
Sonos Inc. has recently filed a lawsuit against Google, claiming that the
search giant has copied its patented home speaker technology.
California-based Sonos
is in the business of making high-end home sound systems that users can control
with their voice. Although the firm is famous for its quality indoor speakers,
it also makes the related accessories, like amplifiers.
Through the Patent Infringement suits filed in the Log Angeles Federal District
Court and with the U.S. International Trade Commission, the company is looking
for financial damages and a sales ban on Google’s speakers, smartphones, and
laptops, in the US market.
Sonos claimed that
the features in the Google Home smart speakers infringed upon five of its
patents, including technologies that enable their speakers to communicate and
synchronize with each other wirelessly. The company further claimed that the
scope of Intellectual Property (IP) infringement could be much bigger,
potentially beyond the search giant.
Sonos, in a
statement, said that Google had been blatantly and knowingly copying its
patented technology in creating and selling the audio products under the search
giant’s name. It then added that despite the repeated and extensive efforts
made by its team over the last few years, Google hadn’t shown any willingness
to work with it on a mutually beneficial solution.
Executives at Sonos
told the New York Times that they provided Google with a list of around 100
patents found to be used unlawfully. They further told that Amazon’s Echo smart
speakers are also believed to be violating a similar number of patents.
Nevertheless, the company opted to limit the litigation to the lawsuit it is
pursuing against Google because battling against both the tech giants at once
would be a risk.
Both Google and
Amazon, on their part, have strongly pushed back the Sonos’ accusations. Google
said that they are disappointed with Sonos’ move where the smart speaker maker
brought these lawsuits rather than continuing negotiations in good faith and
that they would battle against these claims and defend them vigorously. On the
other side, Amazon’s spokesperson said that the Echo family devices and their
multi-room music technology were developed independently by Amazon.
It is predicted that
the recently launched lawsuit against Google will only complicate Sonos’ tense
partnership with the search giant and Amazon. Besides, in the big picture, the
lawsuit may add fuel to the upsurging pressure tech giants are having from
competitors. Sonos revealed that after it started asking for patent licensing
feeds, Google added new technical caveats to their partnership. However,
Congressional staff members discussed having Sonos Chief Executive Officer –
Patrick Spence – testify on the matter before the House antitrust
subcommittee. For more visit: https://www.trademarkmaldives.com
Don’t forget to
follow us on social media:
Contact - US
