Sonos began January 2020 by filing a lawsuit against Google for infringing several of its patents . Specifically, the company reported that the Mountain View firm had violated 5 ideas related to its devices and technologies. Among them, the way in which the speakers can be connected and synchronized with each other. Google responded to Sonos' accusations by claiming that they had infringed several of its patents.
Now, a preliminary decision issued by Charles Bullock, a leading judge of the US International Trade Commission (USITC), agrees with Sonos and assures that it was Google who violated the patents related to the technologies audio devices, TechCrunch has learned.
Eddie Lazarus, Sonos legal director, responded to the cited source claiming that Judge Bullock's decision is a “promising milestone” in the goal of defending innovation against “misappropriation. by the monopolies of big technologies “.
Google, for its part, insists that they have not used technology developed by Sonos. They position themselves, as expected, against Judge Bullock's decision.
Sonos wants to block the import of Google devices
It all started in 2013, when Sonos provided Google with documents that showed the operation of a technology that allowed to connect several speakers to each other wirelessly . The goal was for Google to make its music service, Google Play Music, compatible with Sonos speakers. Two years later, the Mountain View company announced ChromeCast Audio, a gadget that allows you to transfer music from a smartphone to any speaker. In 20216, Google began venturing into the smart speaker market in 2016 with the newcomer Google Home.
It wasn't until that year, 2016, that Sonos realized that the Mountain View company had infringed several of its patents. The audio company accused Google of using its dominant position in the market to harm smaller competitors.
On December 13, the plenary session of the International Trade Commission will be held, which will validate or deny the preliminary decision by Judge Bullock . Sonos' goal is to prevent Google from continuing to market those devices that violate the brand's patents.
