Alphabet’s Google was found guilty of breaching a software developer’s remote-streaming patent rights. On Friday, a Waco, Texas, federal jury ordered Google to pay $338.7 million to Touchstream Technologies, also known as Shodogg, a New York software startup.
In 2021, Touchstream’s patents on video streaming technology were infringed by Google’s Chromecast and other products. Touchstream founder David Strober devised the technique in 2010 to effortlessly “move” videos from cellphones to TVs.
Touchstream claims Google met with them in December 2011 to explore their technology but afterwards lost interest. Google’s 2013 Chromecast media-streaming devices were accused by Touchstream of copying their technologies and infringing three of their patents. Touchstream also claimed that Google’s Home and Nest smart speakers and third-party Chromecast-enabled TVs and speakers infringed their patents.
Jose Castaneda, Google’s representative, replied to the ruling by saying the business will appeal and that Google has always developed its technology independently and competed based on its ideas. Touchstream’s attorney, Ryan Dykal, said they were pleased with the ruling and confident in their case.
Touchstream also sued Comcast, Charter, and Altice in Texas earlier this year. Those cases are ongoing.
Industry experts and technology aficionados are following the legal drama. The verdict could effect the tech giant’s future product development and create a precedent for technology patent infringement lawsuits.
Both firms will prepare to fight the appeal, which will be closely followed. The verdict may change digital streaming intellectual property rights.
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