Autodesk has filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging trademark infringement related to the marketing of artificial intelligence–enabled software used in film, television, and video game production. The complaint was filed on Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco. (Reuters)
According to the complaint, Autodesk claims that Google infringed its “Flow” trademark by using the same name to market competing AI-powered software aimed at similar customers. Autodesk stated that it began using the Flow brand in September 2022 for products supporting visual effects, production management, and related creative workflows. The company said it was taken by surprise when Google launched its own Flow software in May 2025 targeting the same market segments.
Autodesk further alleged that Google had previously assured the company it would not commercialize software under the Flow name. Despite this assurance, Autodesk claims that Google applied for trademark protection for “Flow” in May 2025 in the Kingdom of Tonga, a jurisdiction where trademark applications are not generally publicly accessible. The complaint asserts that Google subsequently relied on the Tonga application to pursue trademark protection for Flow in the United States.
The lawsuit also alleges that Google has actively marketed its Flow software at prominent industry events, including the Sundance Film Festival. Autodesk contends that Google’s representations regarding its use of the Flow name were misleading and designed to delay competitive responses while Google expanded its market presence. The complaint argues that Google’s size and market power could overwhelm Autodesk’s Flow products and associated trademarks, despite their commercial success.
As of Friday, Autodesk’s market capitalization stood at approximately $51 billion, compared with a market value of about $3.9 trillion for Alphabet, Google’s parent company.
Autodesk is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, citing consumer confusion and alleged irreparable harm caused by Google’s conduct. In a statement, Autodesk said it remains committed to protecting its innovations and ensuring fair competition in the global marketplace.
Google had no immediate comment on the lawsuit as of Monday.
The filing comes shortly after Autodesk announced plans to cut approximately 1,000 jobs, representing about 7% of its workforce, as it reallocates spending toward its cloud platform and artificial intelligence initiatives.