Autodesk (ADSK) has brought a civil suit against Google (GOOG)(GOOGL) for allegedly infringing on its “Flow” trademark name, according to Reuters.
In the complaint, which was filed Friday in a federal court in San Francisco, Autodesk contended it has been using the name Flow since 2022 for its software that produces visual effects and can transform footage into cinematic scenes. The filing said Google introduced its software called Flow in 2025, which also can create AI-generated cinematic clips and scenes.
Autodesk believed Google did not plan to monetize its version of Flow but then discovered Google had applied to trademark the term in the Kingdom of Tonga, the report said. Autodesk also said in the complaint Google is now in the process of seeking trademark protection for the name in the U.S.
“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,” the complaint said, according to the report. “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 punitive damages and compensation for the alleged consumer confusion.