Sonos vs. Denon patent case will finally go to court

As a result of a preliminary ruling in Sonos' favor this week, the company's case against Denon over potential patent infringement is now due to go to court on October 2, 2017.

The lawsuit began in 2014 when Sonos accused Denon of "merely copying its system" citing similarities including the lineup and naming system.

As part of a preliminary hearing D&M Holdings, Denon's former parent company, attempted to single out a third of the patents involved in the case -- which reportedly related to volume control and the method of grouping multiroom speakers together -- as "directed to ineligible subject matter."

A US District Court in Delaware this week ruled against D&M, however, citing Section 101 of the Patent Act, saying that Sonos' patents were not simply "abstract ideas" and were eligible for patent protection.

"We're pleased with the court's ruling, which reinforces the strength of Sonos' patents asserted in the case against Denon, as well as the strength of our overall portfolio," said a Sonos spokesperson.

Both Denon (now part of hi-fi company Sound United) and Sonos have announced Wi-Fi products recently, with Denon on Tuesday unveiling HEOS-enabled receivers. Sonos last week introduced its Playbase home theater speaker.

Representatives for Denon didn't respond to a request for comment.

Update, 6:13 p.m. ET: Adds comment from Sonos and date for the court proceedings