New York: Ever since the initial antitrust case cast a shadow over Google, the tech giant finds itself once again under scrutiny. Singular Computing, a Massachusetts-based company, has recently filed a staggering $1.67 billion lawsuit against Google, alleging the misappropriation of their patented AI technology related to Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). Google contends that their processors were independently developed, highlighting purported flaws in Singular Computing’s technology. Stay informed about the unfolding details of this lawsuit below.
Google’s Alleged Theft of Patented AI Technology
As reported by Android Police, the lawsuit contends that Google incorporated concepts from Singular’s patented technology into their AI processors. The legal action asserts that the two companies engaged in multiple interactions, including discussions involving Singular founder Joseph Bates from 2010 to 2014. Based on these interactions and Google’s subsequent introduction of its AI processor, Singular Computing has taken legal action, accusing Google of appropriating their patented AI technology to advance AI features.
In defense, Google’s lawyer, Robert Van Nest, argues that the chipset team never directly collaborated with Singular’s founder. Instead, he asserts that Singular Computing proactively initiated discussions to share ideas and designs. Nest characterizes Singular Computing as a “disappointed inventor” who, beyond Google, reached out to other major tech companies such as Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI. Furthermore, Nest contends that Google’s AI chipset significantly deviates from the specifications outlined in Singular’s patents.
While Google’s pretrial documents indicate potential damages of $7 billion, Singular’s legal team is seeking $1.67 billion in the upcoming trial. Singular maintains that Google’s TPU chipset, responsible for powering AI features in Search, Gmail, Translate, and other applications, is built upon their patented AI technology. With the trial expected to span several weeks, Google faces yet another substantial legal challenge. Additionally, Singular’s legal representation has presented emails between the two companies, suggesting a high level of compatibility between Singular’s technology and Google’s AI endeavors.
