Google, Sonos Head To Trial in Contentious Smart Speaker Patent Fight

Sonos and Alphabet's Google will face off in a San Francisco federal trial on Monday over claims that Google copied Sonos' patented smart-speaker technology in wireless audio devices like Google Home and Chromecast Audio. From a report: The case is part of a sprawling intellectual property dispute between the former business partners that includes other lawsuits in the U.S., Canada, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Sonos has asked the court for $90 million in damages from Google in the San Francisco case, down from $3 billion after U.S. District Judge William Alsup narrowed the case, according to a Google court filing. Sonos alleges Google infringed two of its patents related to multi-room wireless audio. Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said the case relates to "some very specific features that are not commonly used," and that Sonos "mischaracterized our partnership and technology."

Ditched My Google Homes Due To These Cat Fights

[Isarian]

I ditched my Google Home Minis after Google nuked a bunch of functionality from my devices due to the various patent trolling going on. I still have a large form Google Home in my kitchen that basically just serves as a voice activated timer, and might be on the way out soon too because I am sick of it responding with unsolicited suggestions ("By the way, did you know") every time I give it a command. It was my real wake-up call as to the problems with any smart-home tech that vendors can modify or nerf at any time.

redoux of the "but on a computer!" patents.

[RatherBeAnonymous]

This is just a repeat of the late 90's "but we do it on a computer!" patents, but this time it's "but it's wireless!". Sonos didn't invent these concepts. Networked audio was developed in 1983 at Bell labs. WiFi in 1997. PA systems acme about in 1915. Sonos didn't invent the first Internet streaming service nor the first device that could receive streaming internet audio. The idea of bolting these things together is obvious.

Granted, Sonos makes a good product, and I'm sure they have some novel solutio

Re:

[JKanoock]

Yup, the patent system is way broken. Someday the government may wake up and fix it but I imagine there is too much "grease" in the system to do that until the money is finally removed from politics.

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[jonsmirl]

The core problem is software patents which should not exist. Patents are supposed to be for a specific invention. By allowing software patents you can patent whole classes of devices which implement the algorithm. This is like allowing a generic patent for heavy weight on a stick which covers all types of hammers instead of patenting specific hammer designs.

I wish they would both lose

[Brandano]

This is the sort of case where it would be great if both parties could lose. It would at least bring a modicum of sanity to the patent litigation scene.

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[awwshit]

Agreed, happy to watch them both burn cash. I love the idea of these products but can't stand the walled garden plus tracking.

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[NoWayNoShapeNoForm]

This is the sort of case where it would be great if both parties could lose. It would at least bring a modicum of sanity to the patent litigation scene.

Agreed. I can't decide which side I could care less about.