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Sonos vs. Google: a partial victory for Sonos
18.8.2021
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
A judge has ruled that Google infringed on five patents held by Sonos. If convicted, Google devices could face a sales ban.
According to an initial ruling by a U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) judge, Google infringed on patents held by Sonos, a manufacturer of speakers. Smart speakers are the target of the dispute. The ruling is now under review.
The ITC will issue its final verdict on 13 December 2021.
What has happened so far
Sonos has been embroiled in a legal back-and-forth with Google since January 2020. Google devices like its speakers and Pixel smartphone line are the focus of the dispute.
How did this come about? In order to make Google services compatible with Sonos speakers, Google was allowed to view Sonos’ blueprints back in 2013. These blueprints contain notes on technologies for synchronous audio playback between multiple devices, volume control, and WLAN connectivity. Google stands accused of using these insights to copy Sonos’ technology.
In May of this year, Sonos was already able to obtain an injunction banning the sale of products with Google Cast technology in Germany. This affects the Pixel 4a smartphone and the Nest Audio speaker. However, Google continued selling the devices online.
What would a confirmation of the ITC ruling mean?
In cases of patent infringement, the ITC can prohibit the importation of goods into the United States. Because many of these Google devices are manufactured in Asia, there’s a threat of far-reaching sales stops. Smartphones and Chromecasts could also be affected. This would have far-reaching consequences for Google’s Christmas sales.
In the period since the ITC’s decision was made public, Sonos shares have risen by 4.6 per cent. The audio specialist Sonos is demanding financial compensation and a ban on the sale of Google speakers, smartphones and laptops in the United States. This isn’t the first time Sonos has made such demands of Google.
Google sues back
The search engine giant, meanwhile, maintains that its technologies aren’t an infringement on any Sonos patents and will therefore file a counterclaim – also with allegations of patent infringement.
Last June, Google already filed a lawsuit (article in German) against Sonos. In it, Google claims that Sonos is using Google’s patented technology for software, networking, search, audio processing, digital media management and streaming, without paying a licensing fee.
Proprietary Sonos voice control?
For Sonos, the news that it won against Google in the first ruling comes at an opportune moment. According to multiple reports, Sonos conducted a customer survey to find out if customers would be interested in using an alternative voice assistant. Many Sonos devices have Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa integration.
According to rumours, Sonos wants to establish its own voice assistant. It’s supposed to be called Sonos Voice Control and would probably be similar to existing voice assistants.
The lawsuit saga continues
In a comment to The Verge, Sonos indicates that these initial rulings are just the beginning of a larger fight. Sonos reportedly wanted to defend itself against the big-tech monopolist and intends to sue Google for further instances of patent infringement.
Sonos has already sued other competitors. In 2019, for example, the company filed a lawsuit against Bluesound. It involved over 100 patent infringements. Denon has also been hit, but reached an out-of-court settlement with Sonos in 2018. In Denon’s case, the dispute was over the Denon HEOS Multiroom systems. Amazon was also accused of infringing on Sonos patents with its Echo speakers last year. However, Sonos reportedly wants to focus its legal action on Google first.
Testing devices and gadgets is my thing. Some experiments lead to interesting insights, others to demolished phones. I’m hooked on series and can’t imagine life without Netflix. In summer, you’ll find me soaking up the sun by the lake or at a music festival.