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Google sued by University of Southern California over imaging technology

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  Published in Science and Technology on Tuesday, October 28th 2025 at 15:52 GMT by reuters.com
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University of Southern California Sues Google Over Imaging Technology

The University of Southern California (USC) has filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles County Superior Court against Google, alleging that the tech giant has infringed upon multiple patents that protect a novel imaging technology developed at USC’s Center for Imaging Science. The suit, docketed on October 28, 2025, seeks $200 million in damages and injunctive relief to prevent Google from using the disputed technology in its Health and AI divisions.

What the Technology Claims to Do

At the heart of the lawsuit are three patents issued in 2022 that cover a “deep‑learning‑enhanced, low‑dose computed tomography (CT) reconstruction algorithm.” The patents claim a method that uses convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to reconstruct high‑resolution images from low‑dose CT scans, thereby reducing radiation exposure while preserving diagnostic quality. The algorithm also incorporates a “generative adversarial network (GAN)” component that fills in missing data and sharpens image edges, according to USC’s filing.

USC researchers, led by Dr. Maria Chen, claim that the technology was originally developed as part of a collaborative grant with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) aimed at improving early detection of lung cancer. The grant included a provision that any resulting intellectual property would be owned by USC. The patents were granted to USC after a thorough examination that found the claims to be novel, non‑obvious, and adequately described.

Allegations Against Google

USC alleges that Google’s “HealthAI” platform, which is marketed to hospitals and diagnostic centers, incorporates the patented low‑dose CT reconstruction algorithm without licensing it from USC. The lawsuit lists several specific claims of infringement:

1. Direct Infringement – Google’s platform uses the patented CNN architecture and the GAN‑based reconstruction process as described in USC’s patents.
2. Indirect Infringement – Google has sold software and consulting services that enable hospitals to integrate the patented algorithm into their own imaging systems.
3. Misappropriation of Trade Secrets – USC asserts that Google obtained confidential research data from USC’s imaging database during a 2023 collaboration that was conducted without a proper licensing agreement.

The lawsuit also alleges that Google’s use of USC’s patented technology violated an implied license that USC had granted to a prior partner, “InnoMed,” which had subsequently sold the algorithm to Google under a sublicensing agreement.

Google’s Response

Google issued a brief statement in which it denied any wrongdoing, saying it was “unaware of any infringement” and that it would defend itself vigorously. The company’s legal team is preparing a counter‑motion that will challenge the validity of USC’s patents on the grounds that the technology is not sufficiently distinct from prior art in the field of low‑dose CT imaging.

In its filing, Google also asserts that it has a “fair and reasonable” license from the American College of Radiology (ACR) that covers the use of low‑dose CT reconstruction techniques. The company claims that ACR’s license covers the patented methods, thereby providing a defense against infringement claims.

Context and Precedent

The lawsuit comes amid a wave of patent disputes between universities and large technology firms. In recent years, universities such as Stanford, MIT, and Harvard have sued companies like Amazon, Apple, and Microsoft for alleged patent infringement related to artificial intelligence and machine learning. USC’s case is particularly significant because it focuses on a highly specialized medical imaging technology that has potential clinical impact.

USC’s Center for Imaging Science is known for its groundbreaking work in applying deep learning to medical diagnostics. In 2023, the center announced a partnership with Google to explore the integration of AI in imaging workflows, a collaboration that was intended to be an academic research effort rather than a commercial venture. USC’s lawyers argue that the partnership agreement was never intended to grant Google rights to commercialize the patented algorithm.

Potential Implications

If USC’s claims are upheld, the case could have far‑reaching implications for the commercialization of AI-driven medical imaging. Google, which has been aggressively expanding its HealthAI portfolio, could face significant financial penalties and a forced redesign of its imaging software. The lawsuit may also encourage other universities to assert their intellectual property rights more aggressively in the tech sector.

On the other hand, if Google succeeds in challenging the validity of USC’s patents, the case could weaken the enforceability of patents that cover machine learning methods, a hotly debated issue in U.S. patent law. A ruling that the patents are invalid could set a precedent that eases the path for AI companies to use existing techniques without the need to secure separate patents.

Next Steps

The case is expected to proceed through discovery, where both parties will exchange documents related to the development of the imaging technology, licensing agreements, and sales records. USC’s filing requests that the court issue an injunction preventing Google from further using the patented algorithm until the matter is resolved. Google has requested a stay, arguing that the injunction would cause significant harm to its business operations.

Both parties have indicated that they are open to settlement discussions. However, given the high stakes—both financially and for the reputation of a leading university and a global tech company—the outcome of this litigation could shape the future of medical AI innovation for years to come.