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Sonos & Google Patent War Intensifies as Each Fires New Salvos This Week

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tanks are aligned for battle between these two giants

It must be really interesting in those Sonos and Google joint product development meetings, where the parties meet to discuss their partnership on the Google assistant technology built into Sonos products. You see, in addition to this product partnership, both companies are ensnarled in a nasty round of lawsuits accusing each other of various patent violations – with tactics and rhetoric heating up as each fired new salvos at the other just this week. On Monday, Google sued Sonos. On Tuesday, Sonos sued Google. This is getting serious…

See what’s happening now between Sonos and Google

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VOXX Int’l Reveals It’s Been Hit By a Ransomware Attack

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Warns that Sensitive Employee & Contractor Info Compromised

VOXX International Corporation (NASDAQ:VOXX) revealed this week that they were the victim of a ransomware attack in July and that an assessment of the hack completed early this month shows that sensitive and confidential employee and contractor information has been compromised. The company has issued a warning to all employees and contractors who have worked for the company over the last 20-years.

See more on this surprising VOXX ransomware attack…

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Creditor of EVA Automation Files Court Action to Force Them Into Bankruptcy

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Says EVA Automation Owes Them $30 Million

Last week, several sharp-eyed Strata-gee readers forwarded the news that was initially erroneously reported that EVA Automation had filed for bankruptcy in Northern California. Actually, a search of court records revealed that a creditor of EVA Automation – Top Victory Investments Limited – has filed an action with the United States Bankruptcy Court in Northern California seeking to force EVA Automation into bankruptcy. EVA Automation, as most Strata-gee readers well know, is a former majority owner of Bowers & Wilkins (B&W).

See more on the action against EVA Automation…

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Appeals Court Rules Against Monster & Noel Lee; They Must Pay Beats $14+Mil

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This long and complex series of intertwined legal actions between Monster LLC (and all other Monster related parties) and Beats Electronics LLC (and all other Beats related entities) seemed to be winding down. Back in 2016, I reported on the lower court ruling in favor of Beats who had filed several motions for summary judgment. It seemed as though this was the end, but in 2018, more actions ensued.

Now, 5 years in, have we reached the end?…

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Small Headphone Specialist Koss Corp. Attempts to Slay Giants Apple, Bose & Others in Court

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Milwaukee, WI based Koss Corporation (NASDAQ:KOSS) last month launched a significant litigation effort against several major industry brands in an effort to assert and protect its IP portfolio rights. On July 22, 2020, Koss filed lawsuits against each of Apple, Inc., Bose Corporation, PEAG LLC dba JLAB Audio, Plantronics, Inc., and Skullcandy, Inc. Each of these auspicious brands, Koss says, are infringing on their patents covering wireless headphones and speakers.

See more on this audacious move by Koss…

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Lenbrook Agrees to Pay Royalties to End Sonos Patent Lawsuit

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Sonos logo

Sonos Inc. and Lenbrook Industries announced today that they have reached a settlement agreement bringing the patent litigation brought by Sonos to a close. The agreement is confidential, so no terms were disclosed.

Another win for Sonos; Read on for more…

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U.S. Trade Commission Opens Formal Investigation of Google on Sonos Complaint

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Sonos vs. Google - Google booth at a show in China
[Photo: REUTERS/Stringer]

The U.S. International Trade Commission has announced that it is launching a patent investigation into various speaker and controller products offered by Alphabet Inc.’s Google brand. This investigation initiation is the result of a formal complaint made by Sonos, Inc. who makes similar products that compete with Google, and claims the tech giant stole their technology.

See more on this Sonos – Google development

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In Sonos’ Claim That It’s a Victim, Some Skeptics See a Rich Irony

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Sonos logo

This Friday, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence will testify before a Congressional committee (the House antitrust subcommittee) that is investigating the issue of competition in digital markets. Or, I should say, they are investigating whether the tech giants – Google, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, etc. – are engaging in anti-competitive activities in violation of the law. The Sonos CEO is likely to complain that Google is in fact anti-competitive. Spence’s appearance takes place literally just days after it has filed a major patent infringement lawsuit against Google – alleging that the tech giant stole its proprietary technology…making them a victim.

But some see this claim of Google victimizing Sonos as a bit of rich irony…

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Sonos Sues Google in Boldest Patent Action Yet

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“When you strike at a king, you must kill him”…Ralph Waldo Emerson

Photo of Google Home device

Sonos announced on Tuesday that it has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against tech powerhouse Google – by far their biggest…and potentially riskiest…action yet. And perhaps keeping Emerson’s quote in mind, Sonos took a double punch at the king, filing a lawsuit against Google in the District Court for the Central District of California…AND at the same time, filing a complaint with the United States International Trade Commission. This is the first time, Sonos has started a war on two fronts, suggesting to me that they are deadly serious in this effort.

See more on the Sonos action versus Google…

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