Google ‘Willfully Infringing’ Sonos Wireless Multiroom Audio Patents, Alleges Complaint

Google began “willfully infringing” five Sonos patents for wireless multiroom audio technology when it introduced Chromecast Audio in 2015, alleged a Sonos complaint Tuesday (in Pacer) in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. “Google’s misappropriation of Sonos’s patented technology has only proliferated, as Google has expanded its wireless multi-room audio system to more than a dozen different infringing products,” it said. “Google has persisted despite the fact that Sonos has warned Google of its infringement on at least four separate occasions dating back to 2016.” Google has “profoundly compounded” the harm by using its multiroom audio products to “vacuum up invaluable consumer data” and “further entrench the Google platform” to “ultimately fuel its dominant advertising and search platforms,” alleged Sonos. Its actions “have caused significant damage to Sonos.” “Over the years, we have had numerous ongoing conversations with Sonos about both companies' IP rights," emailed Google Tuesday. "We are disappointed" that Sonos brought legal action "instead of continuing negotiations in good faith," it said. "We dispute these claims and will defend them vigorously.”