Google to Work With Pixel Owners in Fixing ITC Import Ban Compliance

The Customs and Border Protection ruling that some Google device imports continue to infringe Sonos multiroom audio patents in violation of the International Trade Commission’s Jan. 6 limited exclusion order (see 2201100021) “temporarily impacts a small number of Pixel users who set up a speaker or display for the first time with the Device Utility App,” emailed a Google spokesperson Tuesday. “We will work with them to minimize disruption" as Google complies with CBP's orders to disable the app, he said. "Our support teams are on hand to fix any issues they have and if needed, we will send replacement devices or offer a Google store credit." Google has worked hard over the years to be sure that the customers it shares with Sonos "would have a positive experience," said the spokesperson. Google is "disappointed that Sonos continues to use the legal system in a way that deliberately creates issues for these users,” he said. Sonos publicists emailed journalists with links to the CBP ruling, which was dated June 3 and released publicly Tuesday, along with a statement from Sonos Chief Legal Officer Eddie Lazarus accusing Google of “flouting” the ITC’s import ban. “This finding marks yet another example of Google continuing to misuse our intellectual property and acting in wholesale disregard of the law,” said Lazarus.