Sonos sues Google over ‘theft of speaker technology’

Sonos, a California-based American consumer electronics company, has sued Google, US multinational tech giant, over alleged copyright infringement.

The lawsuit, which was filed on Tuesday, is with respect to the wireless-speaker company’s patented speaker technology.

It also sees the audio company accuse Google of copying its design while undercutting the product in the gadget market.

Sonos claimed that Google had infringed on the patent of the multiroom speaker technology after getting access to the product through a 2013 partnership.

The original partnership had let Sonos speakers support Google Play Music but it allegedly used patented tech in its now-discontinued chromecast audio device.

According to Sonos, the technology has been in use in Google home’s lineup of smart speakers and pixel products while being sold at a cheaper rate coupled with the extraction of more data from buyers.

“Google is a partner with whom we’ve collaborated successfully for years. But it has been knowingly copying our patented technology in creating its audio products,” said Patrick Spence, Sonos CEO.

“Despite our repeated and extensive efforts over the last few years, Google has not shown any willingness to work with us on a mutually beneficial solution.”

Sonos also wants Google to pay monetary damages for its alleged patent infringement.

According to the court documents, the allegedly infringing products also include “Chromecast Audio, Chromecast Ultra, Nest Mini, Nest Hub Max, Pixel phones, Pixel Slate tablet, and Pixelbook laptop.”

While also accusing Amazon of violating its patents with the Echo device family, the management of Sonos was reported to have decided against battling two tech giants in court at the same time.

“Over the years, we’ve had ongoing conversations with Sonos about both companies’ IP rights,” Google’s spokesperson was quoted to have said in defense against Sonos’ allegations.

“We are disappointed that Sonos brought these lawsuits instead of continuing negotiations in good faith. We dispute these claims and will defend them vigorously.”