Sonos wins a preliminary ruling against Google — and it could be just "the tip of the iceberg"
![_When the lofi beat drops [Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision via GettyImages]_](https://cdn.robinhood.com/static_content/mwphzyq69oso/en-US/assets/files/1pkILkeKJ6kGiMUMjl5su6_1_GettyImages-1171930884.jpg)
Legal thriller soundtrack… but make it surround sound. Sonos makes multi-room speakers to fill your Napa winery with lofi jazz. The Santa Barbara-based company uses smart tech for voice control and syncing of its $1.3K+ Surround Sets. Speaking of tech...
- The story: A judge preliminarily ruled that Google infringed on five of Sonos’s smart speaker patents.
- The backstory: In January 2020, Sonos sued Google for allegedly using its patented speaker tech — while undercutting Sonos's prices with cheaper speakers.
- The way back story: In 2013, Sonos shared the tech specs for its smart speakers with Google for a Google Play Music partnership. Sonos alleged Google stole that tech and used it in dozens of products.
Cue the deep bass... As part of its suit, Sonos is asking for an import ban on relevant Google hardware — including Google Home smart speakers, Chromecasts, and Pixel phones. Those are made in China and shipped to the US for sale. But it's not Game Over yet: the International Trade Commission still has to decide whether to reverse or accept the judge's decision. That's scheduled for December 13th.
Taking on Goliath is a big risk... that could have a big payoff. Sonos is worth $5B — Google is worth nearly $2T. By challenging Google, Sonos risks paying major legal fees and damaging potential partnerships with big companies. But if Sonos wins, it could force Google to pay licensing fees for every device that allegedly uses its tech. Sonos claims this suit is just “the tip of the iceberg,” estimating that Google has infringed on 150+ patents. Sonos stock jumped 5% after the legal win.