The case revolves around Google’s remote-streaming technology, particularly concerning its popular Chromecast devices, which allow users to stream videos from one screen to another.
About the lawsuit
The jury’s decision has resulted in a hefty penalty of $338.7 million in damages, with Touchstream Technologies, also known as Shodogg, emerging as the victorious plaintiff.
Namely, Touchstream claimed that founder David Strober invented the technology in 2010 to enable seamless video transfer between small devices, like smartphones, and larger screens, such as televisions.
According to the complaint, Google met with Touchstream about its technology in December 2011 but said it was not interested two months later. Google introduced its Chromecast media-streaming devices in 2013.
Source: Reuters
In response to the verdict, Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda announced that the company intends to appeal the decision. Castaneda emphasized that Google has always developed technology independently and competed on the merits of its unique ideas.
Touchstream, based in New York, expressed its satisfaction with the verdict, believing that its patents were rightfully recognized and defended in the court of law.
The company's lawsuit alleges that Google's Chromecast devices replicated its innovations and infringed upon three of its patents.
More precisely, Touchstream claims that Google’s Home and Nest smart speakers, along with third-party televisions and speakers integrated with Chromecast capabilities, also violated their patents.
Background
This is not the only legal battle Touchstream has engaged in. Earlier this year, the company filed similar complaints against cable providers Comcast, Charter, and Altice in Texas, with those cases still pending.
As the legal dispute unfolds, the tech industry is closely watching how the situation will impact Google’s future development endeavors and intellectual property rights. Both companies will continue to present their arguments in an effort to protect their interests and innovations within the tech landscape.
Source: Reuters
