A US jury has ordered Google to pay $338.7 million to Touchstream Technologies
for infringing on its patents related to streaming videos from one screen to
another. The jury found that Google's Chromecast and other devices infringe two
Touchstream patents, one for a method of controlling a wireless speaker and the
other for a system for streaming audio to a wireless speaker.
Touchstream
filed the lawsuit against Google in 2016, alleging that Google's Chromecast
device infringed on its patents. The jury's verdict is a major victory for
Touchstream, which has been battling Google for years over patent
infringement.
Google has said that it plans to appeal the verdict.
However, the verdict is a significant setback for Google, and it could have
implications for other companies that use Google's technology.
This
is not the first time that Google has been found guilty of patent infringement.
In 2014, ART+COM filed a lawsuit against Google, claiming its 2001 product
Google Earth infringed the 1995 patent rights of Terravision. The case was
settled out of court, with Google agreeing to pay Terravision $118 million.
The
verdict in the Touchstream case is a reminder that even the largest technology
companies are not immune to patent infringement lawsuits. It is also a reminder
that the patent system is still an important tool for protecting innovation.
What does this mean for Google?
The verdict in the Touchstream case is a significant setback for Google. The
company has been ordered to pay a large sum of money, and it is likely to face
further legal challenges. The verdict could also have a chilling effect on
Google's willingness to innovate, as the company may now be more cautious about
using technology that is patented by other companies.
What does this mean for other companies?
The verdict in the Touchstream case is a warning to other companies that use
Google's technology. These companies need to be aware of the potential for
patent infringement, and they need to take steps to protect themselves. They may
also need to consider buying insurance to cover the cost of patent infringement
lawsuits.
What does this mean for the patent system?
The verdict in the Touchstream case is a reminder that the patent system is
still an important tool for protecting innovation. The patent system allows
inventors to recoup the costs of their research and development, and it
encourages them to continue to innovate. The verdict also sends a message to
other companies that they need to respect the intellectual property of
others.
What's next?
Google has said that it plans to appeal the verdict in the Touchstream case. The
appeal process could take several years, and it is unclear whether Google will
be successful. In the meantime, Google will need to continue to defend itself
against other patent infringement lawsuits.
