In a recent legal dispute, Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has been found liable for infringing upon the patent rights of a software developer concerning remote-streaming technology.

A federal jury in Waco, Texas, delivered the judgment on Friday, demanding that Google pay Touchstream Technologies, a software company based in New York and also known as Shodogg, a sum of $338.7 million as compensation.

Touchstream Technologies, hailing from New York, initiated the lawsuit back in 2021, and as a result, they are now considerably richer with the awarded amount.

The lawsuit centered on allegations that Google’s widely-used Chromecast and other devices encroached upon Touchstream’s patents, which relate to the technology enabling users to effortlessly stream videos from one screen to another.

This technology was purportedly conceived by Touchstream’s founder, David Strober, in 2010, with the intention of seamlessly transferring videos from compact devices like smartphones to larger screens like televisions.

According to Touchstream’s complaint, Google held a meeting with the company in December 2011 to discuss their technology but subsequently displayed no further interest. Surprisingly, in 2013, Google launched its Chromecast media-streaming devices, which Touchstream claimed were copied from their innovations, thus infringing upon three of their patents.

Furthermore, Touchstream accused Google’s Home and Nest smart speakers, along with third-party televisions and speakers with Chromecast capabilities, of also violating their patents.

In response to the verdict, Google’s spokesperson, Jose Castaneda, stated that the company will appeal, strongly asserting that Google has consistently developed its technology independently and competed based on the merits of its own ideas.

Conversely, Touchstream’s attorney, Ryan Dykal, expressed contentment with the decision, affirming their unwavering belief in the strength of their case.

This legal battle isn’t the first for Touchstream, as earlier this year, they filed similar complaints against major cable providers, including Comcast, Charter, and Altice, in Texas. Those cases are still awaiting resolution.

As the legal drama unfolds, industry experts and technology enthusiasts alike are closely monitoring the outcome.

The ruling may carry significant implications for the tech giant, potentially impacting the development and release of future products, while also establishing a precedent for forthcoming patent infringement cases in the technology sector.

The appeal process will undoubtedly be closely scrutinized, and both companies will be gearing up to vigorously defend their positions. Ultimately, the final verdict may shape the landscape of intellectual property rights in the realm of digital streaming.