Sonos has long accused Google of using its patented network technology on its systems.
Sonos recently won a case involving five patented technologies, and Google can no longer import devices using those technologies into the United States, The New York Times wrote.
The final ruling of the United States International Trade Commission, a quasi-judicial body that decides trade cases and can prevent the import of infringing goods, concludes a two-year investigation into the copyright dispute.
60 days
The technology that Sonos is said to have patented is mostly related to network management and the interaction of many devices simultaneously. These are core user experience technologies and will make Google products something different than they are today.
There are several products that use Sonos’ patented technology: Google Home Smart Speakers, Pixel phones, Chromebooks, and Chromecast.
Illegal technology: Google Home speaker. Image: google
On the other hand, Google has been given 60 days to clean up, and the company promises its customers a consistent daily life.
“We will seek further review and will continue to defend ourselves against Sonos’ frivolous allegations regarding our partnership and intellectual property,” Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said in a statement.
It remains to be seen if Google’s speakers will be any less user friendly, but that doesn’t bode well. Among other things, it is possible that the function that allows you to control the volume of several speakers at the same time will not be available.
rare victory
The commission found that Google had violated the Tariff Act of 1930, which aims to prevent unfair competition through actions such as importing products that infringe US patents, trademarks, or copyrights. The commission also issued a cease and desist order against Google.
– We appreciate that the US International Trade Commission (ITC) has finally ratified the five Sonos patents involved in this case and conclusively determined that Google infringes all five rights. This is a comprehensive victory that rarely happens in patent cases, Eddie Lazarus, Sonos’ legal director, said in a statement.
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