Google settles AI-related chip patent lawsuit that sought $1.67 billion
Google has reached a settlement in a patent infringement lawsuit over chips that power the company’s artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The settlement was announced on Wednesday in a filing at a federal court in Massachusetts. The lawsuit, brought by Singular Computing, alleged that Google misused its computer-processing innovations and sought $1.67 billion in damages.
The details of the settlement have not been disclosed. Both Google and Singular confirmed the resolution but did not provide further information. Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda stated that the company did not violate Singular’s patent rights and expressed satisfaction with the resolution of the matter.
Singular, founded by computer scientist Joseph Bates, claimed that Google incorporated its technology into processing units used to support AI features in various Google services, including Google Search, Gmail, and Google Translate. The lawsuit, filed in 2019, argued that Google’s Tensor Processing Units copied Bates’ technology and infringed on two patents. Singular contended that versions 2 and 3 of the units, introduced in 2017 and 2018, violated its patent rights.
During the trial, internal emails were presented, citing Google’s chief scientist, Jeff Dean, discussing how Bates’ ideas could be beneficial for Google’s developments. Google, however, maintained that its chip designers never interacted with Bates and independently created their technology. The company emphasized that its technology was fundamentally different from what was described in Singular’s patents.
Google introduced its Tensor Processing Units in 2016 to power AI applications such as speech recognition, content generation, and ad recommendation. The settlement of the lawsuit brings an end to the legal dispute between Google and Singular.
The AI industry is highly competitive, and patent infringement lawsuits are not uncommon. While this settlement signifies the resolution of one such dispute for Google, the company continues to push the boundaries of AI technology and its various applications. As AI continues to advance, it is essential for companies to navigate potential patent challenges while fostering innovation in the field.
Please note: This article is generated by OpenAI’s language model.
