Amazon Hit with $46.7 Million Verdict in Voice-Assistant Patent Case

Amazon has been ordered by a Delaware federal court to pay $46.7 million for infringing on four patents owned by VB Assets, previously known as VoiceBox Technologies, with its Echo smart speakers and Alexa virtual assistant. The lawsuit claimed that VoiceBox had developed a similar prototype to Echo and Alexa before Amazon's products were announced. The judgment comes at a challenging time for Alexa, as it faces uncertainty and attempts to increase revenue. Amazon has the option to appeal the judgment, while VoiceBox can seek reimbursement for related costs.