The Google Chromecast is in the crosshairs of a lawsuit, which could lead to Google having to pay nearly $340 million.
After being ordered to pay $32 million to Sonos for infringement of its patents, Google now faces a new million-dollar fine. This time, she would be related to a function included in the Google Chromecast and other video content relay devices, such as have reported since Reuters.
The federal jury in Waco, Texas, has determined that Google’s Chromecast infringes patents owned by Touchstream Technologies. Therefore, the search engine company would have to pay $338.7 million in damages.
One of the essential functions of the Chromecast, in the spotlight
It was in 2021 when Touchstream Technologies filed the lawsuit against Google, alleging that the founder of the company, David Stroeber, had been in charge of invent the technology that allowed video content to be transferred from a device small size, such as a smartphone or tablet, to a television. He did it in the year 2010three years before the launch of the original Google Chromecast.
The company ensures that Google’s content relay device copied their innovations and technologies, infringing three of his patents. The accusation not only affects the Chromecast, but also refers to other Google devices, such as smart displays or Nest series speakers.
Curiously, Google would have met with Touchstream to learn first-hand about its technology. He would have done it in 2011, when there were still two years to go until the launch of the Chromecast. Months after the meeting was held, Google assured Touchstream that they were “not interested” in its technology.
From Google, they assure disagree with the jury’s decision, and a company spokesperson has indicated that Google “has always developed technology independently.” But it does not seem to be a sufficient justification, and everything seems to indicate that the company will have to disburse the almost 340 million dollars that are claimed.
