University of Southern California sues Google over imaging technology
As per the lawsuit, Google knew of the patented technology for years, having given the university and the professor a research award in 2007 for the project that led to the patents.
Google has been sued by the University of Southern California in a Texas federal court. As per the university, Google’s Google Earth, Maps and Street View applications violate its patent rights.
In its complaint, the USC said that Google’s map and navigation products infringe two patents related to technology for overlaying two-dimensional images onto three-dimensional models.
Jose Castaneda, Google spokesperson, refused to comment on the complaint. USC reportedly stated that it was “seeking to be fairly compensated for its important contributions in this area.”
The Los Angeles-based university said that technology developed by one of its professors reportedly “transformed the way the world experiences digital maps” by integrating 2D images of locations into navigable 3D models. Google’s technology that enables users to explore 3D landscapes, zoom between locations and virtually navigate streets infringes its patents: USC said.
As per the lawsuit, Google knew of the patented technology for years, having given the university and the professor a research award in 2007 for the project that led to the patents.
An unspecified amount of monetary damages and a court order blocking Google from using its technology were requested by USC.
The case is University of Southern California v. Google LLC, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, No. 1:25-cv-01734.