• Google has settled a patent infringement lawsuit over its AI chips, potentially requiring payment of several billion dollars.
  • Singular Computing, founded by Joseph Bates, accused Google of using its patented technology without permission, claiming infringement in Google services.
  • The lawsuit sought damages of $1.67 billion, but Singular initially sought up to $7 billion, exceeding twice the largest patent infringement award in U.S. history.

Google has reached a settlement in a patent infringement lawsuit related to artificial intelligence (AI) chips, potentially leading the tech giant to pay several billion dollars. The lawsuit centred around the company’s AI chip technology, with the plaintiff alleging that Google purportedly utilised it for innovative computer processing.

Google is accused of unauthorised tech use

According to Reuters, a settlement was reached on the same day closing arguments were expected to begin in the trial concerning Singular Computer. The lawsuit sought damages amounting to $1.67 billion.

Founded by Massachusetts scientist and former MIT professor Joseph Bates, Singular Computing told a Massachusetts regional court jury that Google used its patented technology without permission, circumventing the construction of data centres valued at around $10 billion. Singular Computing claimed that an organisation under Alphabet, Google’s parent company, replicated its proprietary technology and employed it to support AI functionalities in Google services such as search, Gmail, Google Translate, and others.

After two weeks of trial, just as closing arguments were about to commence, the parties submitted a joint motion on Wednesday morning, requesting a pause in the litigation proceedings and announcing a settlement agreement. According to court documents from Google, Singular sought monetary compensation of up to $7 billion, reportedly exceeding twice the largest patent infringement award in U.S. history.

Disputes about Betas’ patented technology

In 2020, the complaint asserted that Bates possessed a “patent architecture that could more efficiently use computer transistors and fundamentally alter the way AI training and inference are done.”

The lawsuit also added that Google recognised that its demand for AI-based user services far exceeded its computing capabilities before 2017. The company admitted that without integrating Bates’ patented technology into its computers, it would have to “at least double” its computing footprint to meet the demand for additional voice recognition services alone. Reportedly, the scientist disclosed his computer processing innovation to Google between 2010 and 2014.

In 2016, Google launched AI neural processing software used for providing complex AI and machine learning processes on the smartphone itself, essentially bringing the power of cloud computing to smartphones. Singular claimed that multiple versions of Tensor units infringed on its patents. However, according to reports, Google stated in the documents, “Engineers had mixed feelings about the technology, and the company ultimately rejected it, explicitly telling Dr Bates that his ideas were not suitable for the types of applications Google was developing.”

Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda responded, saying, “We’re pleased to have resolved this matter,” and added that the tech giant did not infringe on Singular’s patents.

It’s worth noting that in July of last year, a federal judge prohibited Google from informing the jury that the computer architecture created by Bates did not meet the criteria for U.S. patent protection or that the relevant patents were invalid in any other aspect.

Also read: Google settles $5 billion privacy lawsuit over alleged covert user tracking