Google and Sonos are back in court this week in the latest battle of a long-running war over intellectual property rights.
The trial between the audio manufacturer Sonos and Alphabet’s Google kicked off on May 8 in a San Francisco court room.
Sonos claims that Google copied its patented smart-speaker technology in wireless audio devices including Google Home and Chromecast Audio and, in this latest trial, is seeking $90 million in damages.
Despite a series of lawsuits filed around the world, the two technology companies have previously partnered on product development but now Sonos says Google copied its technology. Google refutes the claim, with a Reuters report quoting spokesperson Jose Castandea as saying Sonos “mischaracterised our partnership and technology”.
The court case continues this week with experts and representatives from both companies expected to weigh in on the technicalities of multi-room audio and smart speakers that can operate in coordinated groupings.
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