Google ordered to pay Sonos $32.5 million over patent infringement

 

Google has been hit with a hefty fine for copying Sonos’ smart speaker technology. A jury in San Francisco ruled that Google infringed on one of Sonos’ patents and ordered the tech giant to pay $32.5 million in damages.

What is the patent dispute about?

The patent dispute between Google and Sonos dates back to 2020, when Sonos sued Google for allegedly stealing its patented multiroom audio technology. Sonos claimed that Google copied its technology after the two companies partnered in 2013 to integrate Google’s streaming music service into Sonos products.

Sonos accused Google of infringing on six of its patents, covering features such as synchronizing audio across multiple devices, adjusting volume levels, and creating groups of speakers. Sonos also alleged that Google used its market power to undercut Sonos’ prices and harm its business.

Google denied the allegations and countersued Sonos for infringing on its own patents related to smart speakers and voice control. Google also argued that Sonos’ patents were invalid or obvious.

What did the jury decide?

The jury verdict, issued on May 26, 2023, found that Google’s smart speakers and media players, such as Google Home and Chromecast Audio, infringed on one of Sonos’ patents (US Patent No. 9,195,258). The patent covers a method of creating “zone scenes” that allow users to group speakers and play different audio streams in different rooms.

The jury awarded Sonos $2.30 for each of the more than 14 million devices that Google sold in the US since 2016, totaling $32.5 million. The jury also upheld the validity of Sonos’ patent and rejected Google’s claim that it was anticipated by prior art.

However, the jury also found that Google did not infringe on another Sonos patent (US Patent No. 10,209,953) that relates to adjusting volume levels across multiple devices. The jury also disregarded a $90 million damages estimate from a Sonos expert witness, saying that some of the evidence provided was inadmissible.

What are the implications of the verdict?

The verdict is a significant victory for Sonos, which has been fighting to protect its intellectual property and market share from Google and other competitors. Sonos’ chief legal officer and CFO Eddie Lazarus said in a statement that the verdict “re-affirms that Google is a serial infringer of our patent portfolio” and “demonstrates the exceptional value of our intellectual property”.

The verdict also adds to Google’s legal woes, as the company faces antitrust scrutiny and lawsuits from regulators and rivals over its dominance in online advertising, search, and smartphone software. Google’s spokesperson Peter Schottenfels said in a statement that the case was a “narrow dispute about some very specific features that are not commonly used” and that the company was considering its next steps.

The verdict is not the end of the legal battle between Google and Sonos, however. The two companies are still involved in other lawsuits in the US and abroad over different patents and claims. Sonos has also won a limited import ban on some of Google’s devices from the US International Trade Commission (ITC), which Google has appealed.

What does this mean for consumers?

The patent dispute between Google and Sonos may have some impact on consumers who use or plan to buy smart speakers and media players from either company. Depending on the outcome of the appeals and other lawsuits, some of Google’s devices may be banned from entering or selling in the US or other markets. Google may also have to remove or modify some features from its devices to avoid further infringement.

On the other hand, consumers may also benefit from more innovation and competition in the smart speaker market, as both companies strive to differentiate their products and offer better services. Consumers may also see more collaboration and integration between different brands and platforms, as both companies have expressed interest in working with other partners in the industry.