ITC Orders Import Ban, 100% Bond on Google Goods Found to Infringe Sonos Patents

Google violated Section 337 of the 1930 Tariff Act by importing smart speakers, Pixel phones and other devices that infringe five Sonos multiroom audio patents, said the International Trade Commission’s notice of final determination Thursday, terminating the two-year investigation. “The appropriate remedies are a limited exclusion order and a cease and desist order against Google,” said the ITC. Heeding the recommendations of Chief Administrative Law Judge Charles Bullock, the commission set a 100% bond on the value of the infringing products imported during the 60-day presidential review period when the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative can affirm or reverse ITC’s finding or take no action.

Google, in a statement, said: “While we disagree with today’s decision, we will ensure our shared customers have the best experience using our products and do not experience any disruption. We will seek further review and continue to defend ourselves against Sonos’ frivolous claims about our partnership and intellectual property.”

Sonos appreciates that the ITC “has definitively validated the five Sonos patents at issue in this case and ruled unequivocally that Google infringes all five,” emailed Chief Legal Officer Eddie Lazarus. “That is an across the board win that is surpassingly rare in patent cases.”