The US International Trade Commission agreed with Sonos' claims that Google infringed on its speaker and cast patents. Its final decision, closing an investigation that began in August, prevents Google from importing products that violated Sonos' intellectual properties. The ban takes effect in 60 days, giving Google time to implement a workaround. The decision affects Google's Home smart speakers, Pixel phones and computers, as well as Chromecast devices, according to the New York Times.
Sonos sued Google over five US patents, Nos. 9,195,258; 10,209,953; 9,219,959; 8,588,949 and 10,439,896, which cover technologies that are the pillars of Sonos' most familiar features, including its Trueplay tuning tool that cancels out distortions.
Google said it does not expect any impact to its ability to import or sell the products, spokesperson Jose Castaneda told The Verge. He noted that the International Trade Commission already approved Google workarounds for each of the five patents, and these will be implemented in the coming weeks.
