The legal battle between Sonos and Google has taken a new turn. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled on August 28, 2025, that one of Sonos’ patents is valid. This decision revives the company’s long-running lawsuit against Google. Source: Reuters
Appeals Court Reverses Earlier Decision
The Federal Circuit overturned a 2023 ruling by U.S. District Judge William Alsup. The judge had previously invalidated the patent due to Sonos’ 13-year delay in filing. He ruled that the delay made the patent unenforceable. The appeals court disagreed. It found that Google did not suffer harm because of the delay.
A Case That Started in 2020
Sonos first sued Google in 2020. The company alleged that Google copied its wireless audio technology in products such as Google Home speakers and Chromecast Audio. In May 2023, a jury awarded Sonos $32.5 million in damages. That verdict was later overturned when Judge Alsup ruled the patents invalid.
Sonos Welcomes the Decision
A Sonos spokesperson praised the latest ruling. The company expressed hope that Google will now enter fair licensing negotiations. Sonos has argued that Google’s products rely heavily on its patented audio technology.
Google’s Position
Google has denied the allegations. The company has also redesigned its devices in recent years to avoid infringement. In April 2024, the Federal Circuit allowed the import of those redesigned products, stating they did not violate Sonos’ patents. Read more here.
What the Ruling Means
The latest decision gives Sonos another chance to fight for compensation and enforce its patents. The case will now return to the San Francisco federal court for further proceedings. Legal experts believe the ruling could strengthen Sonos’ hand in future licensing talks and shape the wider smart speaker market.
