Delhi High Court Sends Voicemonk–Google Patent Row Over Gemini and Android to Mediation
Delhi High Court Sends Voicemonk–Google Patent Row Over Gemini and Android to Mediation
Introduction
The Delhi High Court has referred a patent infringement dispute between Voicemonk Inc. and Google LLC along with its group entities to mediation, after recording the willingness of both parties to explore an amicable settlement. The dispute concerns allegations that Google’s AI assistant Gemini and its Android operating system infringe two Indian patents held by Voicemonk.
Factual Background
Voicemonk Inc., a US-based technology company, claims ownership of two Indian patents relating to software-based innovations. According to Voicemonk, the first patent relates to a search technology that aggregates results from multiple sources and displays them on a single page, rather than across several pages. The second patent allegedly concerns behavioural tracking software that learns user patterns across applications and enables predictive or follow-on actions, such as prompting a user to share content based on past behaviour.
Voicemonk alleged that Google has incorporated these patented technologies into its products, specifically Google’s AI assistant Gemini and the Android operating system, thereby infringing its patent rights in India.
Procedural Background
Voicemonk instituted a patent infringement suit before the Delhi High Court against Google LLC and related entities. During the hearing, both sides indicated a willingness to attempt resolution through mediation. It was also noted that there had been an earlier mediation attempt, but according to Google, that exercise was limited to only one of the two patents now asserted in the suit. Taking note of these submissions, Justice Jyoti Singh considered it appropriate to refer the matter to mediation afresh, with directions for a time-bound attempt at settlement.
Issues
1. Whether the dispute relating to alleged infringement of Voicemonk’s two Indian patents by Google’s Gemini and Android products should be referred to mediation.
2. Whether a fresh mediation process was warranted in light of the expanded scope of the dispute involving two patents.
Contentions of the Parties
Voicemonk contended that both its patents were being infringed by Google’s software features embedded in Android devices and Gemini. It explained the technical uniqueness of its inventions and asserted that Google’s implementation mirrored the patented functionalities. Voicemonk also maintained that the Delhi High Court had territorial jurisdiction, as the allegedly infringing services were accessible across India, including Delhi. It was submitted that earlier mediation efforts had failed due to unsatisfactory offers from Google.
Google, on the other hand, argued that the plaint contained vague and general allegations. It submitted that the earlier mediation discussions were confined to only one patent, whereas the present suit involved two patents, thereby enlarging the scope of the dispute. Google emphasised that it was open to resolving the matter amicably and sought a structured mediation process to address both patents comprehensively, rather than engaging in prolonged litigation.
Reasoning and Analysis
The Court took note of the statements made by both sides expressing openness to mediation. It observed that patent disputes, particularly those involving complex technologies and global entities, are well-suited for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. The Court also acknowledged that since the scope of the dispute now covered two patents, a renewed mediation exercise could facilitate meaningful discussions on all outstanding issues.
Justice Jyoti Singh underscored the need for an expeditious resolution and considered it appropriate to set a strict timeline for mediation, so that the matter does not remain pending indefinitely.
Decision
The Delhi High Court referred the dispute between Voicemonk Inc. and Google LLC to mediation before a senior mediator. The parties were directed to make all efforts to conclude the mediation within four weeks from the date of the order. The matter is next listed before the Court on March 13, 2026, for further consideration, depending on the outcome of the mediation.
In this case Voicemonk Inc. was represented by Lexport along with Advocates Raj Latha Kotni, Srinivas Kotni, Ananya Nikhil Singh, Shyam Kishor Maurya, Swagita Pandey and Anirudh Ramanathan.
