It only took seven days,Taming The Younger Sister-in-Law Origin [Uncut] but we've got the first big tech fight of 2020 on our hands.
While the entire tech world is in Las Vegas for CES, Sonos sued Google for patent infringement, The New York Times reported. The speaker company claims Google stole Sonos tech to power its own popular wireless speakers, after the two corporations started working together in 2013.
As the Timespointed out, Google had not yet started producing its own speakers at that point. Sonos gave Google a close look at its speaker tech following a partnership that allowed Google's music tech to work on Sonos speakers. Since then, Google has nurtured a line of popular smart speakers like the Nest Mini while Sonos has sold a slightly more niche product.
Sonos not only wants Google to pay damages, but the company also registered a complaint with the International Trade Commission asking for a ban on the sale of some Google products that allegedly infringed upon Sonos patents. According to the Times, Sonos has been trying to talk to Google about possible infringement since 2016, only deciding to sue now as something of a last resort.
“Over the years, we have had numerous ongoing conversations with Sonos about both companies' IP rights and we are disappointed that Sonos brought these lawsuits instead of continuing negotiations in good faith," a Google spokesperson told Mashable. "We dispute these claims and will defend them vigorously.”
In a statement provided to Mashable, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence said Google has been difficult to work with regarding a solution to possible patent infringement over the years.
"Google is an important partner with whom we have collaborated successfully for years, including bringing the Google Assistant to the Sonos platform last year. However, Google has been blatantly and knowingly copying our patented technology in creating its audio products," Spence said. "Despite our repeated & extensive efforts over the last few years, Google has not shown any willingness to work with us on a mutually beneficial solution. We’re left with no choice but to litigate in the interest of protecting our inventions, our customers, and the spirit of innovation that’s defined Sonos from the beginning."
Interestingly, Sonos also has beef with Amazon for the same thing, but decided to sue Google because taking on both tech giants would be too heavy a burden to bear. A recent Canalys report estimated that Amazon's Alexa-powered smart speakers have nearly three times the market share of Google's equivalent, though both are popular in their own right.
“The Echo family of devices and our multi-room music technology were developed independently by Amazon," an Amazon spokesperson told Mashable. "Our focus is on building the best possible experience for our customers and partners building with Alexa. In fact, The Alexa flywheel is helping to generate billions of dollars for the Alexa developer and device maker community.”
Feuding with both Google and Amazon could be tricky for Sonos. It's not nearly as big as either company, of course, but the larger issue is that Google's industry-leading advertising network and Amazon's ubiquitous e-commerce business might be able to make or break Sonos sales.
In other words, Sonos might be biting one or both of the hands that feed it. But (alleged) infringement is (alleged) infringement, so maybe it'll work out in the speaker company's favor.
UPDATE: Jan. 8, 2020, 3:11 p.m. EST Added statement from Amazon.
Topics Amazon Google
How to Settle Down with Dystopia
Surprising PSA reveals hidden truth about sexual abuse
Chromebooks with 4K displays could be on their way
Watch Boeing refuel a huge military tanker mid
Today's Hurdle hints and answers for May 9, 2025
Sam Nunberg's BlackBerry signature in leaked email is too ironic
Sam Nunberg's BlackBerry signature in leaked email is too ironic
Google bought more renewable energy than it needed last year
'Thunderbolts*' mid
Duffer brothers sued for allegedly stealing 'Stranger Things' idea
'The Last of Us' Season 2, episode 3's opening credits has a heartbreaking change
Google praises employee 'acts of heroism' after shooting at YouTube
Twitter renews weekly streaming deal with Major League Baseball
Fathom Events to screen Harry Potter play 'Puffs'
Mary Shows Up
Surprising PSA reveals hidden truth about sexual abuse
Facebook won't extend European data privacy protections globally
Tech execs call for gun control after YouTube shooting
How to Squeeze the Most Out of Your iPhone's Battery
A Captain America 'Infinity War' poster ruined my team's productivity
Yes, of course Justin Trudeau owns a pair of Chewbacca socksTwitter to testify on Russian bots as politicians take aim at big techiOS 11 glitches prove early adoption isn't all it's cracked up to beMarilyn Manson interview goes viral and this journalist deserves a gold medalTorturing Sims is never not hilarious, as Reddit demonstratesPolice close road to investigate a grizzly find... sort ofAt the UK launch of the iPhone 8, there were more Apple staff than customersSlack is falling apart and people are freaking outThe original, massive Xbox controller is coming back... with a mysterious screen in the centerBill Gates regrets 'Control+Alt+Delete' on WindowsJimmy Kimmel tears apart his critics on health care billNetflix has pulled this children's show after a very NSFW discoveryEmma Stone and Hillary Clinton are pretty happy with their Billie Jean King THulu snags Sean Penn to star in upcoming series about MarsJK Rowling, Facebook, and Apple among those donating to Mexican earthquake relief'Stranger Things' gang gets its 'Goonies' characters in new posterAmazon's 'Hunger Games' for a new HQ puts cities in a race to the bottomAmazon customers can now return things for free at Kohl's or Whole FoodsTerrifying Hurricane Maria videos shared from Puerto Rico and DominicaiOS 11 finally forces Uber to stop tracking you after rides London's nightlife is disappearing — here's why that's dangerous for the city British store has an A+ response to road sign spelling error Apple activates Twitter account days before iPhone 7 event Hillary Clinton will travel with reporters on her new Boeing 737 campaign plane Mother Teresa declared a saint in Mass led by Pope Francis A Singaporean couple is offering to house pregnant women who live in Zika hotzones Obama downplays G20 arrival spats while agency sends salty tweet Airbnb asked to disclose data on 172 users so far this year Photos celebrating Britain's diversity displayed across the country TV host's award nomination for transphobic slur apology attracts backlash 8 absurdly expensive iPhone cases you definitely should not buy Hermine sends serious waves to New York and New Jersey coastlines 25 reasons you should quit online dating Duterte called Obama a 'son of a whore' and the internet did a collective facepalm Huskers football stages a touching tribute to fallen teammate Here's 10 of the most brutal jokes about Ann Coulter from 'The Roast of Rob Lowe' This humongous flaming barge was used to commemorate the Great Fire of London Fans froth over Chris Hemsworth's Insta Romeo the dog pulled alive from Italy earthquake rubble after 9 days Kylie Jenner's Snapchat goes platinum (hair)
2.0478s , 10132.6953125 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Taming The Younger Sister-in-Law Origin [Uncut]】,Openness Information Network