Sonos Sues Google Seeking Ban on Sale of its Speakers, Smartphones in U.S.

According to a New York Times report, Sonos has filed a lawsuit against Google in two federal court systems seeking financial damages and a ban on the sale of Google’s speakers, smartphones, and laptops in the U.S. The lawsuit accuses Google of stealing Sonos technology and also of abusing its power.

Sonos

Sonos claims that Google infringed on five of its patents, including technology that lets wireless speakers connect and synchronize with one another. “Google has been blatantly and knowingly copying our patented technology,” said Sonos CEO Patrick Spence in a statement.

Sonos executives further say that both Google and Amazon abused their powers “to squeeze the smaller company.” The two tech giants came out with their own speakers, undercutting Sonos’s prices and, according to Sonos executives, stealing its technology:


“Despite our repeated and extensive efforts over the last few years, Google has not shown any willingness to work with us on a mutually beneficial solution. We’re left with no choice but to litigate.”

Sonos executives said they had decided to sue only Google because they couldn’t risk battling two tech giants in court at once.

Meanwhile, a Google spokesman has said that Google and Sonos had discussed both companies’ intellectual property for years. “We dispute these claims and will defend them vigorously,” he added.

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