A hearing before a California federal judge brought an ugly exchange between attorneys for both Sonos and Google – with each side pointing their finger at the other and accusing them of bad faith. That attorneys got ugly against their counterparts is not in itself surprising. However, the speed with which this dispute devolved to that point was a surprise.
Law
Sonos & Google Patent War Intensifies as Each Fires New Salvos This Week
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
[Read more…] about Sonos & Google Patent War Intensifies as Each Fires New Salvos This WeekVOXX Int’l Reveals It’s Been Hit By a Ransomware Attack
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…
[Read more…] about VOXX Int’l Reveals It’s Been Hit By a Ransomware AttackCreditor of EVA Automation Files Court Action to Force Them Into Bankruptcy
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…
[Read more…] about Creditor of EVA Automation Files Court Action to Force Them Into BankruptcyAppeals Court Rules Against Monster & Noel Lee; They Must Pay Beats $14+Mil
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?…
[Read more…] about Appeals Court Rules Against Monster & Noel Lee; They Must Pay Beats $14+MilSmall Headphone Specialist Koss Corp. Attempts to Slay Giants Apple, Bose & Others in Court
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…
[Read more…] about Small Headphone Specialist Koss Corp. Attempts to Slay Giants Apple, Bose & Others in CourtLenbrook Agrees to Pay Royalties to End Sonos Patent Lawsuit
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…
[Read more…] about Lenbrook Agrees to Pay Royalties to End Sonos Patent LawsuitU.S. Trade Commission Opens Formal Investigation of Google on Sonos Complaint
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
[Read more…] about U.S. Trade Commission Opens Formal Investigation of Google on Sonos ComplaintSonos Reports Record Fiscal First Quarter 2020 Results
Sonos, Inc. this week reported a strong first quarter for their 2020 fiscal year. In fact, the company says it had a record quarter with strong revenue and profit gains.
See more on the Sonos record quarter results
[Read more…] about Sonos Reports Record Fiscal First Quarter 2020 ResultsIn Sonos’ Claim That It’s a Victim, Some Skeptics See a Rich Irony
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.