In a decisive turn of events, Google has clinched a settlement in a patent infringement case centered around the chips fueling its artificial intelligence endeavors, as disclosed in a filing within the Massachusetts federal court. The agreement materialized on the very day slated for the commencement of closing arguments in the lawsuit initiated by Singular Computing, a legal battle seeking a substantial $1.67 billion in restitution for what was claimed as Google’s improper application of their computer-processing innovations.
Details of the settlement, however, remain shrouded in mystery, as neither Google nor Singular’s representatives have disclosed any specific terms or conditions. While Google’s spokesperson, Jose Castaneda, staunchly asserted that the company did not transgress Singular’s patent rights, he expressed contentment in bringing the matter to a resolution.
Singular, spearheaded by Massachusetts-based computer scientist Joseph Bates, alleged that Google had assimilated his technology into processing units integral to the implementation of AI features in various Google services, including Search, Gmail, and Translate. The lawsuit, originating in 2019, contended that Bates shared his inventions with Google between 2010 and 2014. It asserted that Google’s Tensor Processing Units, introduced in 2016 for powering AI applications, imitated Bates’ technology, thereby infringing on two patents. Singular further argued that subsequent iterations of the units, Versions 2 and 3 launched in 2017 and 2018, continued to violate its patent rights.
During the trial’s opening statements on January 9, internal emails were presented, quoting Google’s chief scientist, Jeff Dean, expressing the compatibility of Bates’ ideas with the company’s development. Google countered these claims by asserting that the individuals responsible for designing the chips had never crossed paths with Bates and independently devised the technology. Google maintained that its technology was fundamentally distinct from what was outlined in Singular’s patents.
This settlement brings a conclusion to a contentious legal dispute that has lingered since 2019, signaling a resolute stance by Google on the issue. The exact terms of the agreement, however, remain elusive, leaving industry observers intrigued about the intricacies of the resolution.
