ITC Chief Judge Finds Google Infringed 5 Sonos Multiroom Audio Patents

Google violated Section 337 of the 1930 Tariff Act for importing smart speakers and other devices found to infringe five Sonos multiroom audio patents, said a notice of initial determination signed late Friday by Chief Administrative Law Judge Charles Bullock at the International Trade Commission. A final ITC determination on Bullock’s ruling is due mid-December.

Sonos is pleased the ITC “has confirmed Google’s blatant infringement of Sonos’ patented inventions,” said Chief Legal Officer Eddie Lazarus in a statement. Bullock’s decision reaffirms “the strength and breadth of our portfolio, marking a promising milestone in our long-term pursuit to defend our innovation against misappropriation by Big Tech monopolies,” he said.

Google doesn’t use Sonos’ technology, “and we compete on the quality of our products and the merits of our ideas,” emailed a spokesperson. “We disagree with this preliminary ruling and will continue to make our case in the upcoming review process.”