Autodesk Files Lawsuit Against Google Over AI Movie-Making Software

Autodesk has taken legal action against Google, accusing the tech giant of infringing on its 'Flow' trademark to promote its own AI-powered movie-making software.

The lawsuit, filed in a San Francisco federal court, claims that Autodesk introduced its Flow software in September 2022 for visual effects and production management. Autodesk expressed surprise when Google unveiled its own Flow software in May 2025, targeting the same market.

According to Autodesk, Google previously assured the company that it would refrain from commercializing Flow, yet shortly after the software's launch, Google applied to trademark the term in Tonga, a move Autodesk claims was intended to secure similar protections in the U.S.

The complaint highlights how Google has already begun marketing Flow at prominent industry events, including the Sundance Film Festival, despite Autodesk's established presence in the market.

Autodesk argues that Google's actions are misleading and could significantly harm its brand and market share. The company is seeking unspecified damages, both compensatory and punitive, due to the confusion and alleged long-term damage caused by Google's actions.

In a recent statement, Autodesk affirmed its commitment to protecting its innovations and ensuring fair competition in the marketplace. The lawsuit comes at a time when Autodesk is also restructuring, planning to reduce its workforce by about 7% as it shifts its focus toward cloud solutions and AI.