Google, one of the world’s largest and most influential tech companies, is no stranger to lawsuits. However, a recent one has caught the attention of many, adding another legal battle to the company’s long list. Singular Computing, a tech company based in Massachusetts, has sued Google in a federal court, alleging that the search giant stole some of its patented AI technology on Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). This lawsuit alleges that Google incorporated Singular Computing’s patented tech within these AI-based processors after multiple meetings with Singular founder Joseph Bates between 2010 and 2014. It is claimed that Bates shared some of his ideas with Google during these meetings.
The counsel for Singular, Kerry Timbers, informed jurors in a Boston court that Google used these allegedly copied technologies as a foundation for AI features within its services like Search, Gmail, Translate, and others. Compelling evidence presented during the trial included emails written by Jeff Dean, the current chief scientist at Google, discussing how Singular’s tech could be “really well suited” for Google’s products, as reported by Reuters.
Conversely, Google lawyer Robert Van Nest argued that the team developing these chipsets never met with Singular’s founder, implying that Google developed the designs independently. Van Nest also claimed that Bates was “a disappointed inventor” and that Singular had previously attempted to approach AI-focused companies like Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI. He further stated that Singular’s tech was prone to generating “incorrect” calculations due to approximate math. Additionally, Van Nest asserted that Google’s chipsets were “fundamentally different” from those described in Singular’s patents.
Interestingly, Google’s pretrial documents revealed that Singular Computing initially sought damages of up to $7 billion for the alleged infringement. However, during the trial, Singular’s lawyers requested only $1.67 billion in compensation, as highlighted by Reuters.
Google introduced its first Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) in 2016 and has used it in its data centers since 2015. At that time, Google emphasized how its TPUs enhanced search results relevance and improved services like Street View. The Register, an online publication, has reported that Google’s TPUs are currently in their fifth generation and are extensively used for training AI models across its cloud infrastructure. The publication speculates that this trial could endure for at least weeks.
According to the plaintiff, the second and third versions of Google’s TPUs, introduced in 2017 and 2018, infringe upon Singular’s patents. Alongside this ongoing trial, Google and Singular Computing are also entangled in a legal battle in a Washington appeals court following an appeal filed by Google from the USPTO (US Patent and Trademark Office), as cited by Reuters.
This is not the only high-profile lawsuit that Google is currently facing. Another recent legal setback came from Epic Games, a famous game developer, with a jury ruling in their favor. Google has since appealed that decision. In addition, Google recently announced a settlement of $700 million for a separate antitrust lawsuit concerning its Play Store.
In conclusion, Google’s involvement in another lawsuit is attracting attention, as Singular Computing accuses the tech giant of stealing its patented AI technology for Tensor Processing Units. As both sides present their evidence and arguments in court, the outcome of this case will significantly impact the reputation and financial standing of the companies involved.
Wanda Parisien is a computing expert who navigates the vast landscape of hardware and software. With a focus on computer technology, software development, and industry trends, Wanda delivers informative content, tutorials, and analyses to keep readers updated on the latest in the world of computing.
