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Masimo, Parent of Sound United, Scores Big Win in Patent Action Against Apple

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United States International Trade Commission logo

Masimo (NASDAQ: MASI), a medical products manufacturer who also owns audio products maker Sound United, said this week that a U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) Administrative Law Judge in Washington D.C. has ruled that Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) has violated Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 by importing and selling models of their Apple Watch that incorporate light-based pulse oximetry technology that infringes on two of Masimo’s patents. Apple first introduced its pulse oximeter sensor in their Apple Watch Series 6 in 2020 and continues to incorporate it into models up to the current series.

See more on the Masimo patent win over Apple

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Court Orders OSD Audio to Cease ‘Literally False’ Advertising Claim

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OSD Audio Nero XA5180 amplifier
OSD Nero XA5180 multichannel amplifier

In a decision announced last week, U.S. District Court Judge James V. Selna has granted a motion for reconsideration by Outlaw Audio that included a restraining order preventing OSD Audio “from falsely representing” a certain feature of one of its products. This decision is a result of legal action taking place between direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands Santos Elecs. Inc. dba OSD Audio and Outlaw Audio LLC.

Learn more about this action between OSD Audio and Outlaw Audio

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Sound United Parent Masimo Wins Big as Judge Finds Former Employee Stole Its Trade Secrets

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Masimo W1 hero
Masimo’s W1 smartwatch uses proprietary technology to deliver accurate blood oxygen saturation levels

Findings Place Apple, a Separate Dispute, into Legal Crosshairs

Masimo Corp. (NASDAQ: MASI), the owner of major audio company Sound United, revealed last week that it had received a favorable ruling against a former employee who was found by the Honorable Judge James V. Selna of the United States District Court of the Central District of California, to have stolen numerous company trade secrets and then employed them in the design of a competitive product and in numerous patent applications. With this conclusion, Masimo earned a long, hard-fought win that gives them positive momentum as they head to court again against a bigger combatant.

Why is this case – Masimo vs. True Wearables – particularly notable? Because alongside this action, Masimo is also suing Apple, Inc. on many of the same issues – a case that has just been incredibly bolstered by the District Court’s ruling against True Wearables and its founder Dr. Lamego.

See why things are getting interesting for Masimo and hot for Apple

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Is Sonos a Patent Infringer? U.S. Int’l Trade Comm Launches Investigation

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Is Sonos a patent infringer? the U.S. International Trade Commission will find out

The tables have apparently been turned on Sonos, Inc. which now finds itself the subject of an investigation into alleged patent infringement by the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC). The agency decided to launch an investigation of Sonos after receiving a complaint from Alphabet, Inc.’s Google division. There is one simple question: is Sonos a patent infringer?

Learn more about the USITC investigation of Sonos

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Audiophile Hero Mobile Fidelity Hit With Multi-Million Dollar Class Action Lawsuit

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the cover of a recent Pretenders record reissue from Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab

Has MoFi Been Pretending?

A lawsuit alleging a variety of deceptive practices by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, Inc. (Mobile Fidelity or MoFi), a major player in the premium analog vinyl record community, has been filed by premium vinyl record fan Adam Stiles. Stiles is bringing this case on behalf of himself “…and all others similarly situated against Defendent Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs, Inc.”

Those whom he seeks to represent are all customers who purchased MoFi products since 2011 on the basis of the company’s assurance of its products’ pure analog, direct from the master tape, heritage. It turns out that this crucial selling point for the company is…allegedly…in many cases, a lie.

See more on the alleged deception by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab

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Google Intensified Its Patent War With Sonos, Launched Battle on New Front

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After two years of tussling in courts, with both sides registering a mix of wins and losses on various matters, you’d think some kind of settlement would be in order. But last week, Google intensified its patent war with Sonos by opening up yet another front with two new lawsuits on voice control and other technologies, leading me to believe that any type of settlement is yet down the road.

Learn how Google has opened a new front with Sonos

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Tiny Koss Scores Big Win over Giant Apple in Patent Dispute Settlement

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Koss Corporaton headquarters in Wisconsin

Expects $10-$14 Million in Licensing Fees in Current Quarter

Back in August 2020, I told you about Koss Corporation filing patent infringement claims against Apple Inc, Bose Corporation, PEAG LLC (JLAB Audio), Plantronics, and Skullcandy. It seemed like an improbable journey for the relatively small specialty headphone maker, but they plunged ahead anyway confident that their wireless audio patents had been unfairly infringed.

This week, after two years of legal battles that had intensified in 2022 and on the eve of a jury trial with mighty Apple, Inc. the two parties reached an agreement settling all disputes in a deal that looks really sweet for Koss.

See more on the big win for Koss

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Goliath Has Fallen; Sonos Prevails Over Google in ITC Patent Action

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Sonos portable speaker - the company has sued Google for patent infringement

But Did Google Ultimately Outsmart Them?

I don’t think it’s possible for me to overstate the significance of what just happened last week when, in a final decision from the U.S. International Trade Commission, the full panel affirmed a commission judge’s ruling that Google had in fact infringed on five patents held by Sonos. It is a real-life version of the bible story of David versus Goliath. Make no mistake, this David’s win may change our industry in fundamental ways.

A Tech David takes down a Tech Goliath

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UEI Earns Wide National News Coverage for All the Wrong Reasons

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UEI screenshot with logo

Allegations of Conspiring With China’s Gov’t to Use Uyghurs in a Forced Labor Arrangement

In a rare show of bipartisanship, a group of U.S. Senators has sent a strongly worded letter to a leading consumer electronics industry remote control maker Universal Electronics, Inc. (UEI) launching a probe into the company’s hiring practices in China. Unique to UEI is that they own their own factories in China (most contract with existing China OEM factories) and a recent damning investigation by Reuters alleges the company is working with the Chinese government to utilize a widely persecuted Uyghur minority in a forced labor arrangement, a human rights violation. UEI has denied the accusation but so far has not provided data to back up their denial.

See more on the UEI labor situation in China

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U.S. ITC Launches Massive Investigation of Certain TVs, Remotes & Components

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Roku homepage

Broad Implications of Roku, Inc. v. Universal Electronics, Inc.

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has launched a massive investigation into a wide range of televisions, remote controls, and other components that is sure to rattle a few cages around the industry. The investigation is the result of a patent infringement action taken by Roku, Inc. (Roku) against Universal Electronics, Inc. (UEI) and a long list of UEI customers and associates back in April. At the same time that Roku filed their lawsuit in a California District Court, they also filed a complaint with the ITC alleging Section 337 violations (“unfair imports”) by the same long list of prominent players in electronics.

See more on the Roku / ITC investigation

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