ITC Staff Backs Sonos Motion to End Section 337 Probe Against Alphabet

The International Trade Commission’s “investigative staff” supports Sonos' motion to terminate the Tariff Act Section 337 probe into Alphabet, based on withdrawal of the patent infringement allegations against the Google parent (see 2008240002), said its response (login required) posted Wednesday in docket 337-TA-1191. ITC “precedent” shows terminating an investigation “will be readily granted to a complainant during the prehearing stage,” barring “extraordinary circumstances,” it said. Staff is “unaware” of any, and the motion “substantially complies” with ITC rules, it said. Terminating the investigation “is in the public interest and will conserve public and private resources,” it said. The probe will continue into allegations that Google devices infringe five Sonos multiroom audio patents.