The audio specialist Sonos has been working on wirelessly networked speakers since it was founded in 2002. About five years ago, Google entered the software-controlled speaker business and, according to Sonos, abused its market power. “Google didn’t take us seriously. So we had to go to court,” says Patrick Spence, CEO of the audio specialist.
The company from Santa Barbara, California, was able to assert itself in the patent proceedings before the US Trade Commission ITC. Google infringed five of Sonos’ patents, the trial found. The search engine group then had to adapt its functions.
Patrick Spence joined the company ten years ago as Chief Commercial Officer and became CEO five years later. In the podcast, in an interview with our Silicon Valley correspondent Stephan Scheuer, he explains how the group has held its own against rivals Sony, Bose and Panasonic – and why he is hoping for help from Europe to create fair competition among large technology groups.
More: You can find the previous episode of Handelsblatt Disrupt here.
Top jobs of the day
Find the best jobs now and
be notified by email.
Exclusive offer for Handelsblatt Disrupt listeners: Test Handelsblatt Premium for 6 weeks for €1 and stay informed about what’s moving the financial markets. With a bit of luck you can also win a Kindle e-reader. More information is available here.
Do you have any questions, criticism or suggestions? Then join our Handelsblatt Disrupt LinkedIn group and write.