Sonos has gained an early victory in its ongoing authorized battle with Google. On Friday, a federal choose with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) made a preliminary determination associated to a criticism the corporate had filed towards Google in early 2020, alleging the search large had infringed on 5 of its patents. Validating all 5 claims, the choose mentioned Google shouldn’t be allowed to import units that violate the mental property of Sonos.
“Today the ALJ has found all five of Sonos’ asserted patents to be valid and that Google infringes on all five patents. We are pleased the ITC has confirmed Google’s blatant infringement of Sonos’ patented inventions,” mentioned Sonos chief authorized officer Eddie Lazarus. “This decision re-affirms the strength and breadth of our portfolio, marking a promising milestone in our long-term pursuit to defend our innovation against misappropriation by Big Tech monopolies.”
As The New York Times notes, the choose’s determination is not last. The total ITC physique has to make a last ruling earlier than it mandates any remedial measures. With a gathering scheduled for December thirteenth, that will not occur for an additional few months.
“We do not use Sonos’ technology, and we compete on the quality of our products and the merits of our ideas,” mentioned Google spokesperson José Castañeda. “We disagree with this preliminary ruling and will continue to make our case in the upcoming review process.”
Sonos first sued Google in early 2020. It accused the corporate of copying a few of the applied sciences most important to its audio system, together with its Trueplay tuning device. In patent disputes, corporations usually use simultaneous ITC complaints to pressure the hand of their opponent because the physique tends to resolve issues quicker than a standard courtroom. Google subsequently countersued Sonos, claiming the corporate had been utilizing its search, software program, networking and audio processing applied sciences with out paying the right licensing charges. The feud escalated later that very same 12 months when Sonos filed a second swimsuit.
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