It is not the first time, nor will it probably be the only time, that a small company sues a large company accusing her of using any of her patents without first going through the box. Sometimes it is patent trolls, companies that buy smaller ones with financial problems to keep their patents and then sue the big ones.
This time, it's not about that, quite the opposite. Sonos, the speaker company that has become one of the best options within the world of music and technology in recent years, has filed a lawsuit against the giant Google, for blatantly using the technological information disclosed confidentially.
En Actualidad iPhone We have analyzed many of the products that Sonos makes available to us, and always with very good marks. This Californian company claims that Google has used its technology "Blatantly and knowingly" in its own range of speakers, Patrick Spence, Sonos chief executive officer, tells the New York Times.
Despite our repeated and extensive efforts in recent years, Google has shown no willingness to work with us on a win-win solution, so we are left with no choice but to litigate.
Spence assures the same publication that Google isn't the only one who has blatantly copied its technology, since Amazon has also done it, but due to financial limitations it can only face a demand of this type.
The case dates back to 2013, when Google reached an agreement with Sonos to make this manufacturer's range of speakers compatible with Google Play Music. At that moment, made it easier for Google to design their speakersConsidering that since Google did not make speakers, there would be no problem.
It was at that moment when Google learned about Sonos' proprietary multi-room technologyBut it wasn't until 2015 that it began to intentionally infringe on this proprietary technology with the launch of Chromecast Audio. Since then, Google has integrated this technology into more than a dozen different products, infringing its patents, not just on speakers, but also on smartphones, tablets, and computers.
José Castaneda, a Google spokesman, has denied the Sonos allegations to the New York Times:
We are disappointed that Sonos has filed these lawsuits instead of continuing negotiations in good faith. We discuss these claims and will vigorously defend them.
Instead of continuing negotiations... clearly shows that if they have copied your technology but it seems that they have not intended at any time to reach an amicable agreement for both parties.
Natalie Hereth, a spokeswoman for Amazon, says that Jeff Bezos' company has not infringed on Sonos patents:
The Echo family of devices and our multi-room music technology were independently developed by Amazon.
Sonos claims that Google has infringed about 100 of its patentsAlthough the demand is only focused on 5 of them, including the way in which wireless speakers can connect and synchronize with each other. The Californian company Sonos wants a jury trial and seeks damages, unspecified financial compensation in addition to a court order to immediately stop sales of all the search giant's products that use its patents.