Autodesk sues Google over AI-powered movie-making software

Autodesk sues Google over AI-powered movie-making software

According to the complaint, Google used the Tonga application to seek similar trademark protection for Flow in the U.S., and has marketed Flow at industry events including the Sundance Film Festival.

Autodesk has sued Google for allegedly infringing its “Flow” trademark to market competing AI-enabled software used to make movies, TV shows and video games. In a complaint filed in a San Francisco federal court, Autodesk said that it began using Flow in September 2022 for visual effects, production management and other products, and was surprised when Google launched Flow software in May 2025 aimed at the same customers.

Google assured it will not commercialize Flow still applied that month to trademark the term in the kingdom of Tonga in the South Pacific where applications are not generally available to the public, Autodesk said.

According to the complaint, Google used the Tonga application to seek similar trademark protection for Flow in the U.S., and has marketed Flow at industry events including the Sundance Film Festival.

The complaint reportedly said, "Google’s false representation that it would always use a combination of its house mark and Flow was intended to buy time to allow it to swamp Autodesk’s place in the market. Despite the success of Autodesk’s Flow products, the much larger Google will likely overwhelm the Autodesk Flow products and Flow marks."

Autodesk is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for the consumer confusion and alleged irreparable harm that Google caused. An Autodesk statement reportedly read: "We remain committed to protecting our innovations and ensuring fair competition in the global marketplace.”