USITC investigates Google speakers after Sonos complaint
The US International Trade Commission (USITC) will begin an investigation into certain Google audio players and controllers following a complaint from rival smart speaker maker Sonos that the import of such products infringes its patents.
The USITC has voted to institute “an investigation of certain audio players and controllers, components thereof, and products containing the same”, based on a complaint filed by Sonos on January 7, it said in a statement.
Sonos requested that the USITC issue a limited exclusion order and cease and desist orders. The USITC does occasionally issue exclusion orders, banning products from the US, if they infringe US patents, although companies often carry on importing the products by redesigning them (or at least some of the critical components) and thus avoid using the patented technology in question.
The USITC identified Google and Alphabet (a multinational conglomerate created in October 2015, and Google’s parent company) as respondents in the investigation.
“By instituting this investigation (337-TA-1191), the USITC has not yet made any decision on the merits of the case,” the trade body said.
USITC’s Chief Administrative Law Judge will assign the case to one of the USITC’s administrative law judges (ALJ), who will schedule and hold an evidentiary hearing.
The ALJ will then make an initial determination as to whether there is a violation of section 337. However, that initial determination is subject to review by the USITC.
At the time of last month’s complaint Sonos also filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Google in the US District Court for the Central District of California.
Sonos accused Google of copying its technology and “flooding the market” with cheap, infringing products in order to boost advertising revenues.
Sonos claimed that Google had rolled out a line of infringing products including Chromecast Audio, Google Home, and Nest Hub at subsidised prices in order to “lock in” revenues from e-commerce and advertising. Google has disputed Sonos’s infringement claims.
Did you enjoy reading this story? Sign up to our free daily newsletters and get stories like this sent straight to your inbox.
Today's top stories:
AT&T beats Cheetah patent claim with the ‘grandparent’ principle
Catalan public broadcaster wins TM victory over EUIPO
US govt considering Nokia/Ericsson takeover to counter China’s 5G lead
Already registered?
Login to your account
If you don't have a login or your access has expired, you will need to purchase a subscription to gain access to this article, including all our online content.
For more information on individual annual subscriptions for full paid access and corporate subscription options please contact us.
To request a FREE 2-week trial subscription, please signup.
NOTE - this can take up to 48hrs to be approved.
For multi-user price options, or to check if your company has an existing subscription that we can add you to for FREE, please email Adrian Tapping at atapping@newtonmedia.co.uk