The U.S. Stock Research Agency learned that the Zhitong Finance APP learned that Google (GOOG. US) lost a lawsuit over Nest's smart thermostat infringing the patent rights of energy management company EcoFactor, requiring $20 million in damages.
A federal jury in Waco, Texas, found that Google infringed on a patent by EcoFactor that was designed to improve the efficiency of the thermostat by reducing peak demand.
EcoFactor sued Google in 2020 for infringing its patents, and EcoFactor also demanded $5.16 for each set of Nest thermostats sold between January 2020 and January 2022, for a total of $29 million.
Google spokeswoman José Casta eda said the ruling would not affect its customers and the company plans to appeal.
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