Several groups back Sonos in Google import ban case
Several groups ranging from patent organisations, educational institutions to music industry firms have urged the US International Trade Commission (USITC) to ban Google from importing its hardware products into the US in a patent dispute with speaker maker Sonos.
The letters were submitted on Monday, September 13 unanimously backing Sonos following a USITC filing last Wednesday in which Google had indicated that it had managed to design the software featured in its products around the Sonos patents to prevent the injunction.
The five Sonos patents cover synchronising audio playback, multi-channel pairing in a media system and methods of adjusting volume among other inventions.
If a preliminary ruling by the ITC is upheld, the decision could bar the search giant’s Home and Chromecast systems, and Pixel phones and laptops from the US market.
The public interest submissions for the cases were submitted by the Sound Board, Project: Music Heals Us, The Alliance of US Startups and Investors for Jobs (USIJ), the Innovation Alliance, the Urban Arts Partnership, Centripetal Networks and the American Economic Liberties Project.
The letter from the USIJ said: “It is essential for smaller innovators, like Sonos, to be able to meaningfully and expeditiously enforce patents covering their inventions to sustain and promote competition.
“The public interest in promoting competitive conditions in America would be advanced by the commission proceeding to issue its exclusion order against the products that have been found to infringe Sonos’ patents, without exception.”
Sonos argued that Google had infringed its smart speaker technology and submitted its complaint with the ITC in January, claiming that Google had violated a 1930s federal tariff law known as ‘Smoot-Hawley’ related to unfair competition.
A preliminary ruling on the case was issued on August 13, finding that Google had infringed Sonos’ patents. It invited feedback on the finding from administrative judge Charles Bullock for smart speakers.
Did you enjoy reading this story? Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories sent like this straight to your inbox
Today’s top stories
Hamilton loses TM case over antique pocket watch parts
