Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
UNCTAD: The situation in the Palestinian territories is unfolding within a context of overall economic and institutional fragility and is leading to serious social and environmental consequences
UNCTAD: Two years of military operations and restrictions have caused an unprecedented collapse of the Palestinian economy
UNCTAD: Situation in Gaza unique, represents the most severe economic crisis ever recorded
TASS reports 3 people were injured in a drone attack in the Rostov region, after a fire broke out at a facility in the industrial zone
Ukraine's Ministry of energy reports massive attack on energy facilities in the country
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense: One Chinese balloon was spotted in the Taiwan Strait on Monday
Israeli media reports injuries in ramming operation in al-Naqab.
Sheikh Daamoush: Zionists must remain worried, as they have committed a grave error.
Sheikh Daamoush: All concessions given by Lebanese government to date bore no fruit.
Sheikh Daamoush: It is the duty of the state to protect its citizens and sovereignty, government must push plans to that effect and refuse external pressures, diktats.

Google found guilty in Sonos patent infringement case

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Jan 2022 12:19
3 Min Read

Google is under legal fire after it was found to be guilty of violating US patent laws and infringing on the patent of Sonos speakers.

  • x
  • Sonos smart speakers
    Sonos smart speakers

Google is in violation of five Sonos smart speakers patents, the US International Trade Commission ruled Friday, barring the internet giant from importing products that violate Sonos' intellectual property into the United States.

It is unclear whether any Google products will be out of the market, but, for the meantime, that seems unlikely to happen.

The commission found that Google had violated the 1930 Tariff Act aiming to prevent unfair competition through the import of products infringing on US patents, trademarks, or copyrights. The trade regulator also issued a cease-and-desist order against Google.

Sonos wants the tech giant to pay a licensing fee, saying Google would have to degrade its speakers if it refuses to do so. However, Google claims it has already found a solution to prevent any interruptions.

"There is a possibility that Google will be able to degrade or eliminate product features in a way that circumvents the importation ban," Sonos chief legal officer Eddie Lazarus said, which he argued would adversely affect consumer experience while still infringing patents and racking up damages.

Google seems to disagree with the ruling, saying it will "continue to defend ourselves against Sonos' frivolous claims about our partnership and intellectual property."

The US International Trade Commission found that the tech giant had infringed all five patents Sonos had complained about.

Sonos says Google cloned its multi-room audio feature, which allows speakers to synchronize and play music at the same volume across several rooms in a home.

"The set up for controlling home audio systems, the synchronization of multiple speakers, the independent volume control of different speakers, and the stereo pairing of speakers" are the features affected by the US ruling, Lazarus said.

Google reasserted that it disagreed with the decision, but voiced gratitude over the trade regulator approving their modified designs, "And we do not expect any impact to our ability to import or sell our products," a spokesperson said.

The trade commission's ruling has a 60-day grace period before the import ban is imposed, while the ruling is subject to presidential review. Meanwhile, the tech giant said it would "seek further review."

The tech has been in legal battles for the majority of its existence, the latest of which include several states filing antitrust complaints against it and a privacy lawsuit over its voice assistant.

  • United States
  • technology
  • Google
  • Sonos

Most Read

Inside the Epstein-Rothschild web behind 'Israel’s' spy tech empire

Inside the Epstein-Rothschild web behind 'Israel’s' spy tech empire

  • Politics
  • 19 Nov 2025
Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of commander Haitham Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 23 Nov 2025
Democracy at the civilizational crossroads: Critical analysis of bourgeois Democracy, its alternatives

Democracy at the civilizational crossroads: Critical analysis of bourgeois Democracy, its alternatives

  • Analysis
  • 19 Nov 2025
US readies covert, military measures to oust Maduro: NYT

US signs off on covert CIA operations inside Venezuela: NYT

  • Politics
  • 19 Nov 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
Maduro highlights workers' rise, global support for Venezuela
Politics

Maduro announces receiving info about new plot against Venezuela

Humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza under relentless Israeli attacks
Politics

Humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza under relentless Israeli attacks

Last-ditch COP30 deal puts fossil fuels in the crosshairs
Environment

Last-ditch COP30 deal puts fossil fuels in the crosshairs, for now

Trump admin fumes after court tosses cases against Comey, James
Politics

Trump admin. fumes after court tosses cases against Comey, James

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS