2016年12月30日 星期五

Nokia在2016年尾對Apple提起訴訟的專利

通訊類的專利大戰又再起,這回是Nokia v. Apple,這兩位巨擘的專利訴訟並非第一次,過去Nokia挾很多基礎專利對很多對手提出訴訟,也包括Apple,不少次,不少也和解了,本次起因為幾年前(溯及2011年)雙方簽署的授權合約到期,Apple不願續約。過去一些報導如:
這次Nokia在世界各地提出訴訟,可參考FOSSPatents報導,以及Nokia自己發布的新聞稿,訴訟橫跨11國,共40件專利(目前為止),這裡僅報導比較容易看的美國訴訟,分兩次訴訟,Part I有8件專利,Part II有10件專利。

NOKIA自己的新聞稿:
https://www.nokia.com/en_int/news/releases/2016/12/22/nokia-expands-patent-litigation-against-apple-in-asia-europe-and-the-us

Part I偏重影像處理技術: (Civil Action No. 2:16-cv-1440)

US 7,532,808(影片中編入動作的方法,"Method for Coding Motion in a Video Sequence")

US 6,950,469(次畫素內插方法,"Method for Sub-Pixel Value Interpolation")


US 8,036,273(次畫素內插方法,"Method for Sub-Pixel Value Interpolation")

US 8,144,764(影像編碼技術,"Video Coding")

US 6,968,005(影像編碼技術,"Video coding")

US 6,711,211(影像資訊編解碼方法、影像動態影像補償的編解碼器,"Method for Encoding and Decoding Video Information, a Motion Compensated Video Encoder and a Corresponding Decoder")

US 6,856,701(基於上下文自適應二進位算術編碼方法與系統,"Method and System for Context-Based Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding")

US 6,680,974(上下文選擇區塊轉換係數方法與裝置,"Methods and apparatus for context selection of block transform coefficients")

本篇列舉Part II與相關被告產品,偏重手機技術:(Civil Action No. 2:16-cv-1441)

US 7,415,247(射頻訊號收發技術,"Method and Arrangement for Transmitting and Receiving RF Signals through Various Radio Interfaces of Communication Systems")揭露透過各種通訊界面執行射頻訊號收發的技術,如Claim 1揭露的直接轉換傳送器,其中有數位訊號處理器、數位類比轉換器、濾波器、混合器、放大器、天線,大約都是一些基本元件。
21. A direct-conversion transmitter for operating in different radio communication systems, comprising:
a digital signal processor adapted to produce a digital baseband quadrature signal representing an information signal to be transmitted,
a digital-to-analog converter adapted to convert the digital baseband quadrature signal to analog,
a controllable low-pass filter adapted to filter the analog baseband quadrature signal in order to perform channel filtering according to the radio communication system selected,
a frequency synthesizer adapted to generate a TX mixing signal at a transmit frequency,
a mixer adapted to produce a signal at a carrier frequency from the analog baseband quadrature signal by mixing with the TX mixing signal,
an amplifier adapted to amplify the signal at the carrier frequency, and
an antenna for transmitting the amplified signal at the carrier frequency;
wherein the frequency synthesizer comprises a TX synthesizer and controllable frequency divider for dividing the frequency of the output signal generated by the TX synthesizer, as well as an output frequency selection input for receiving a program-controlled output frequency selection signal adapted to select the output frequency of said frequency synthesizer according to the radio communication system selected,
wherein said mixer is common for processing signals for transmission in at least two different radio communication systems,
and wherein said transmitter amplifier is common for amplifying carrier frequency signals for transmission to at least two different radio communication systems and comprises a gain control input for receiving a program-controlled gain control signal adapted to set the gain of said transmitter amplifier according to the radio communication system selected.
被告的侵權物如各代的iPhone、iPad等當中的行動通訊的射頻模組:




US 9,270,301(射頻訊號的收發技術,"Method and Arrangement for Transmitting and Receiving RF Signals through Various Radio Interfaces of Communication Systems")的Claim 2界定一直接轉換傳送器,其中包括傳送合成器、濾波器、頻率切分器與增益傳送放大器等。

2. A direct-conversion transmitter comprising:
a transmit synthesizer common to a plurality of radio interfaces of the direct-conversion transmitter and configured to generate a mixing signal;
a controllable low-pass filter common to the plurality of radio interfaces of the direct-conversion transmitter, the controllable low-pass filter configured to perform filtering of an analog baseband transmission signal using a controllable cut-off frequency according to which one of the plurality of radio interfaces of the direct-conversion transmitter is selected;
a frequency divider common to the plurality of radio interfaces of the direct-conversion transmitter, the frequency divider configured to divide a frequency of the mixing signal according to which one of the plurality of radio interfaces of the direct-conversion transmitter is selected, wherein the dividing produces two mixing signal components having a 90-degree phase difference; and
a controllable gain transmitter amplifier common to the plurality of radio interfaces of the direct-conversion transmitter and configured to amplify a carrier-frequency signal from a mixer at a gain controlled according to which one of the plurality of radio interfaces of the direct-conversion transmitter is selected, wherein at least one of the plurality of radio interfaces of the direct-conversion transmitter comprises a modulation, a channel spacing, and a channel bit rate that at least one other of the plurality of radio interfaces of the direct-conversion transmitter does not have.
US 8,036,619(具有可控制偏壓模式與電力的振盪器,"Oscillator Having Controllable Bias Modes and Power Consumption")

US 6,393,260(衰減雜散訊號的方法與其接收器,"Method for Attenuating Spurious Signals and Receiver")

US 6,480,700(使得通訊裝置運作在低電流消耗的技術,"Apparatus, and Associated Method, For Operating a Communication Device at Reduced Level of Current Consumption")Claim 1揭露一個可在選擇的無線電特性上運作的無線電裝置,主要界定有第一、第二放大器元件,特別是可以選擇地運作在大訊號模式或小信號模式。
1. In a radio device operable in a radio communication system to communicate radio-frequency communication signals, an improvement of apparatus for operating the radio device at selected radio characteristics, said apparatus comprising:
a first amplifier element coupled to receive a first radio frequency signal, said first amplifier based by a first-bias current signal of a first selectable biasing level, said first amplifier element generating a first amplified radio frequency signal exhibiting a first level of linearity, the first level of linearity responsive to the first-bias current signal; and
a second amplifier element coupled to receive indications of the first amplified radio frequency signal generated by said first amplifier element, said second amplifier element selectably operable in a large-signal mode and in a small signal mode, said second amplifier operated in the large-signal mode when the indications of the first amplified radio frequency signal applied thereto is at least as great as a threshold value such that, when operated in the large-signal mode, said second amplifier become self-biased at a fixed gain level.
US 7,653,366(用於極性傳送器的混合切換模式的線性電力放大器電源,"Hybrid Switched Mode/Linear Power Amplifier Power Supply for Use Patent in Polar Transmitter")Claim 1揭示一個直流轉換器,包括有直流電源與負載的切換模式電路、與切換模式平行的線性模式電力,線性模式具有較快速反應時間,而能補償電路中的負載變動量。

1. A DC-DC converter, comprising:
a switch mode part between a DC source and a load, the switch mode part is configured to provide x amount of output power; and
a linear mode part in parallel with the switch mode part between the same or a different DC source and the load, the linear mode part configured to provide y amount of output power, where x is greater than y, and the ratio of x to y is optimized for particular application constraints,
where the linear mode part exhibits a faster response time to a required change in output voltage than the switch mode part, where the linear mode part compensates at least in part for load variations, wherein the switch mode part is configured to be switchable between a slave mode controlled by the linear mode part and a master mode.
被告侵權物雖為iPhone與iPad,但實為當中使用的高通射頻前級與後級的技術:


US 6,826,391(用於空間分集接收的收發天線系統,"Transmission and Reception Antenna System for Space Diversity Reception")Claim 19界定一無線電通訊系統,包括有運作在不同頻段的收發器,其中有第一天線與第二天限,並有優化收發訊號的調校機制,以及傳遞訊號的手段。
19. A radio communication system (1 e) including a first subsystem (150) and a second subsystem (140), wherein the first subsystem (150) includes a receiver (54) operating at a first frequency range, and the second subsystem (140) includes a transmitter (44) operating at a second frequency range different from the first frequency range, said system comprising:
a first antenna (12) operatively connected to the receiver (54) and optimally tuned for receiving signals in the first frequency range and conveying the received signals to the receiver (54) when the system is used for reception;
a second antenna (10) operatively connected to the transmitter (44) and optimally tuned to the second frequency for transmitting signals from the transmitter (44) when the system is used for transmission;
a tuning mechanism (20), operatively connected to the second antenna (10) for tuning the second antenna (10) to a third frequency range substantially equal to the first frequency range when the system is used for reception, so that the second antenna also receives signals in the first frequency range; and
means (3034), operatively connected to the second antenna (10) and the receiver (54), for conveying the signals in the first frequency range received by the second antenna (10) to the receiver when the system is used for reception.
US 9,473,602(移動式電子裝置,"Portable Electronic Device")揭示的電子裝置有殼體、背後的切工、照相機與主電路板等的核心電路、使用者輸入的電路與電池,並描述其裝置一體成形的組合。

1. A portable electronic device comprising:
a one piece housing forming enclosed exterior lateral sides and a rear side;
a cut out in the rear side of said housing;
a camera located in said housing and extending to said cut out at said rear side;
an engine section comprising a printed circuit board, a transceiver, a processor and a memory;
a user input section located above the engine section and a battery, wherein the user input section is located adjacent the battery and the engine section;
wherein the battery and engine section are housed in the housing and the user input is located in an opening between said exterior lateral sides of said one piece housing of the portable electronic device
被告侵權物如iPhone 6s:


US 6,208,725(控制遠端電話的設計,"Arrangement for Controlling Remote Telephones")Claim 8揭露控制遠端電話至少一個按鍵或顯示的方法,包括連接控制電腦、根據使用者指令傳送狀態資訊,並能執行遠端控制,以及傳送受控裝置的狀態資訊給控制電腦。
8. A method of controlling the status of at least one of keys, buttons, and lamp displays of a telecommunications station comprising the steps of:
establishing a data connection from a controlling computer to a controlled computer;
responsive to user commands, transmitting status control information for controlling the status of at least one of keys, buttons, or lamp displays from said controlling computer to said controlled computer;
transmitting status control information from said controlled computer to said telecommunications station for controlling the status of at least one of keys, buttons and lamp displays of said telecommunications station.
這就用來對應iPhone一直有的Find My iPhone的功能:



US 6,701,294(翻譯自然語言到資料庫與其表示的使用者介面,"User Interface for Translating Natural Language Inquiries into Database Queries and Data Presentations")Claim 7揭示一個使用者介面裝置,連接資料庫,裝置有接收器、翻譯器、語意處理的技術等。
7. Apparatus for use in a user interface, together with a set of associated databases in which data may be represented as data tables with fields representing different classes of data, comprising:
a receiver for receiving a natural language user inquiry;
a first translator unit for translating said natural language inquiry to one or more database queries to be made, said first translator includes
a first apparatus using knowledge of semantics of fields of one or more prescribed databases of said set of associated databases, knowledge about information visualization technology, and knowledge about a relationship of information visualization to the semantics of the fields of one or more prescribed databases and being adapted to determine whether a set of complete database queries can be formulated and
a specifier unit, using knowledge of the semantics of the fields of said one or more prescribed databases, knowledge about information visualization technology, and knowledge about the relationship of information visualization to the semantics of the fields of said one or more prescribed databases, and being responsive to an indication from said first apparatus that a set of complete database inquiries can be formulated, for specifying one or more database queries to be made;
an evaluator unit for evaluating results of said translating and knowledge of the semantics of the fields of said one or more prescribed databases, knowledge about information visualization technology, and knowledge about the relationship of information visualization to the semantics of the fields of said one or more prescribed databases to determine if at least one prescribed database query has resulted;
an interrogator unit for querying said one or more prescribed databases;
a formulator unit, responsive to results including retrieved data of said prescribed database query from said one or more prescribed databases, employing knowledge of the semantics of the retrieved data, knowledge of the semantics of the fields of said one or more prescribed databases populated by the retrieved data, knowledge about information visualization technology, and knowledge about the relationship of information visualization to the semantics of the fields of said one or more prescribed databases for formulating information to be supplied to said user; and
a supplier unit to supply said formulated information to be presented to said user, said supplier includes
a second apparatus, responsive to the query and employing knowledge of semantics of the retrieved data, knowledge of the semantics of the fields of said one or more prescribed databases populated by the retrieved data, knowledge about information visualization technology, and knowledge about the relationship of information visualization to the semantics of the fields of said one or more prescribed databases to determine one or more presentation formats and
a presenter unit adapted to present said formulated information to the user in said determined one or more presentation formats using one or more presentation modes.
這是用來針對iPhone、iPad系列中的Siri功能:



因為Nokia擁有許多躲也躲不掉的基礎專利,例如WiFi、電波技術,對於後發先至的蘋果來說,一定是要對Nokia提出反托辣斯(反壟斷)或不公平競爭等的訴訟:

資料參考:
http://www.fosspatents.com/2016/12/apple-now-suing-nokia-itself-on.html

Nokia訴狀:
http://arstechnica.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/nokia.apple_.complaint.pdf

新聞:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-21/nokia-sues-apple-over-alleged-patent-infringement-in-products
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/12/smartphone-patent-wars-redux-nokia-sues-apple-big-time/


Ron

2016年12月28日 星期三

瑞典最高法院裁定體育轉播不受著作權保護 - 因非智慧原創

本案例雖然發生在遠方的瑞典,但是其中討論議題確實常常發生在我們身邊,例如有人將電視劇視頻放在網路上任人免費觀看(追劇)、或是將運動轉播每天PO網讓人回味(例如每場林書豪出場的比賽都可立即看到精彩剪輯)、或是將新聞轉成自己的影片...等,其中涉及了不少著作權問題,如此,本次法院意見可以參考。

即時現場串流播報的體育新聞是否受到著作權保護?非也,但。。。

參考法規為歐洲議會2001年提出在資訊社會中著作權保護的指導Art. 3(2)。
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2001:167:0010:0019:EN:PDF
此處表示向公眾傳播的訊息的著作權利,規範歐盟成員國應提供授權或禁止公眾的使用的專屬權利,讓公眾可以在某處取得並提供選擇「(a)表演者以及表演的錄製品;(b)錄音製品者與其錄音製品;(c)影片製作者以及其原件及副本;(d)廣播公司與其廣播的錄製品,無論如何傳播的。

Article 3
Right of communication to the public of works and right of  making  available  to  the  public other  subject-matter
2.   Member States shall provide for the exclusive right to authorise or prohibit the making available to the public, by wire or wireless means, in such a way that members of the public may access them from a place and at a time individually chosen by them:
(a) for performers, of fixations of their performances;
(b) for phonogram producers, of their phonograms;
(c) for the producers of the first fixations of films, of the original and copies of their films;
(d) for broadcasting organisations, of fixations of their broad-casts, whether these broadcasts are transmitted by wire or over the air, including by cable or satellite.

如果要判斷轉播出去的節目是否具有著作權,從以上指示中可知,應該要釐清是否轉播內容為提供公眾存取的智慧創作?

裁決內容可見:https://lagen.nu/dom/nja/2015s1097,原本應該是瑞典文,Google幫我翻成英文或中文,本篇據此瞭解,並參考IPKat報導內容。

爭議主角為歐洲數位電視業者「C More」,C More負責轉播瑞典冰球運動,並將轉播內容販售給瑞典冰球聯盟(SwedishHockey League),以提供一般大眾付費收看,結果某位球迷被告將影像放在網路上提供同好免費觀看,判決文強調這是他的興趣,還只是針對某個球隊收集影片,當作他在一個聊天室提供連結,並非營利。

(來源:http://www.digitaltveurope.net/tag/c-more/

原本擁有著作權的C More是讓觀眾付費觀看,而本次被告是免費讓公眾觀看。C More主張其提供了此轉播內容的評論員、影像製作與攝影師,擁有著作權,包括製作其中聲音、圖案與插曲等,用有著作權。

經瑞典法院裁決(3-2),因為轉播內容是基於一個競賽規則產生的許多事件並非是智慧創作(not considered to be an intellectual creation),C More也非原創者,裁決體育轉播內容並非著作權法保護的著作(works)。

然而(重要),被告仍然因為重播他人的成品給公眾而侵權所侵害的是「其中競賽者讓與給轉播單位」的轉播(與重播)的權利,侵權者扔應擔負民事賠償。如瑞典本國法律「Swedish Act on Copyright in Literary and Artistic Works」規範提供製作內容提供公眾的控制獨佔權。




參考案例:http://ipkitten.blogspot.tw/2011/10/more-competition-for-europes-football.html

C More才取得了好幾年的瑞典冰球轉播權:
http://www.digitaltveurope.net/602292/c-more-secures-long-term-deal-for-swedish-hockey/

資料參考:
http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2016/12/swedish-supreme-court-has-ruled-that.html

my two cents:
可能轉播單位不是競賽的原創者,內容不受著作權保護,但是仍是取得轉播的權利,因此重製者仍擔負損害賠償的責任。而轉播競賽中評論、外加的效果與畫面應該仍為被保護的著作,只是這些內容仍是隨著競賽而變化,仍非被視為原創。


這裡不是說轉播節目不被著作權保護,而是要看轉播節目的本質是否為原創,如電影就是具有原創的著作。(updated on Dec. 28, 2016,將廣播改為"轉播")


Ron

2016年12月27日 星期二

美國專利說明書37 C.F.R. 1.71 - 著作權議題

筆記

美國CFR規範美國專利說明書撰寫的章節包括:

37 C.F.R. 1.71 Detailed Description and Specification of the Invention
37 C.F.R. 1.72 Titile and Abstract
http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2009/04/blog-post_23.html
37 C.F.R. 1.73 Summary of the invention
(過去報導:http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2015/09/summary.html
37 C.F.R. 1.74 Reference to Drawings
37 C.F.R. 1.75 Claim(s)
(過去報導:http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2008/09/about-claims-x-37-cfr-175.html

- 37 C.F.R. 1.71規範專利說明書的撰寫原則
(a)說明書應包括物品發明(或發現)揭露書,以及其製造與使用流程,並應以完整、清楚、簡潔與準確的用語描述,使得發明相關技術或科學領域人員可以據以實施該發明或發現,或是以最接近的連結使得可以製造或使用該發明或發現。
(b)說明書應提出要取得專利的精確的發明描述,而可以使之與先前技術區隔,說明書應完整描述流程、機器、製成物、成份或其改善的實施例,並應解釋其中運作模式或是可實施原理,並應闡述其可實現的最佳模式。
(c)以改善發明來說,說明書應指出流程、機器、製成物或成份登需要改善的部分,說明書應限定其必要運作而完整瞭解的改善內容。
(d)說明書描述的規定,如面對著作權、光罩的著作權等標示。
(e)權利保留條款。
(f)說明書(specification)應以新的一頁開始撰寫,與請求項、摘要與程序列表(sequence listing)區隔。
(g)說明書應揭露出共同開發的各方姓名(合約)。應隨附費用。

- 這裡有個議題「專利的著作權」,可參考patently-o文章:http://patentlyo.com/patent/2015/05/copyrighting-your-patent.html

37 C.F.R. 1.71中規範讓專利申請人保留說明書中揭示內容的著作權宣告:「專利說明書包括涉及著作權或光罩的材料的保護,相關著作權擁有人並不會對他人在專利局的專利文件中的複製提出異議,但保留其他用途的權利」,意思就是,根據1987年USPTO的政策宣示,讓專利權人提出以下宣告,拋棄他人引用專利內容在其他專利文件的權利。

"A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to (copyright or mask work) protection. The (copyright or mask work) owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all (copyright or mask work) rights whatsoever."

表示,專利說明書有著作權保護,但實務上幾乎沒有此類爭議,也鮮少看過這類宣告,我想大家都是很有默契地互相引用,互相尊重著作權而標示來源。

patently-o作者提到1929年案例「Korzybski v. Underwood & Underwood, 36 F.2d 727 (2d Cir. 1929)」,指出一旦申請專利,就表示對公眾開放權利。但從patently-o調查來看,愈來愈多專利加入這些宣告。

列舉一例:


[法條]
37 C.F.R. 1.71 Detailed Description and Specification of the Invention
  • (a) The specification must include a written description of the invention or discovery and of the manner and process of making and using the same, and is required to be in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art or science to which the invention or discovery appertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same.
  • (b) The specification must set forth the precise invention for which a patent is solicited, in such manner as to distinguish it from other inventions and from what is old. It must describe completely a specific embodiment of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter or improvement invented, and must explain the mode of operation or principle whenever applicable. The best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention must be set forth.
  • (c) In the case of an improvement, the specification must particularly point out the part or parts of the process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter to which the improvement relates, and the description should be confined to the specific improvement and to such parts as necessarily cooperate with it or as may be necessary to a complete understanding or description of it.
  • (d) A copyright or mask work notice may be placed in a design or utility patent application adjacent to copyright and mask work material contained therein. The notice may appear at any appropriate portion of the patent application disclosure. For notices in drawings, see § 1.84(s). The content of the notice must be limited to only those elements provided for by law. For example, “©1983 John Doe”(17 U.S.C. 401) and “*M* John Doe” (17 U.S.C. 909) would be properly limited and, under current statutes, legally sufficient notices of copyright and mask work, respectively. Inclusion of a copyright or mask work notice will be permitted only if the authorization language set forth in paragraph (e) of this section is included at the beginning (preferably as the first paragraph) of the specification.
  • (e) The authorization shall read as follows:
    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to (copyright or mask work) protection. The (copyright or mask work) owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all (copyright or mask work) rights whatsoever.
  • (f) The specification must commence on a separate sheet. Each sheet including part of the specification may not include other parts of the application or other information. The claim(s), abstract and sequence listing (if any) should not be included on a sheet including any other part of the application.
  • (g)
    • (1) The specification may disclose or be amended to disclose the names of the parties to a joint research agreement as defined in § 1.9(e).
    • (2) An amendment under paragraph (g)(1) of this section must be accompanied by the processing fee set forth § 1.17(i) if not filed within one of the following time periods:
      • (i) Within three months of the filing date of a national application;
      • (ii) Within three months of the date of entry of the national stage as set forth in § 1.491 in an international application;
      • (iii) Before the mailing of a first Office action on the merits; or
      • (iv) Before the mailing of a first Office action after the filing of a request for continued examination under § 1.114.
    • (3) If an amendment under paragraph (g)(1) of this section is filed after the date the issue fee is paid, the patent as issued may not necessarily include the names of the parties to the joint research agreement. If the patent as issued does not include the names of the parties to the joint research agreement, the patent must be corrected to include the names of the parties to the joint research agreement by a certificate of correction under 35 U.S.C. 255 and § 1.323 for the amendment to be effective.

補充資料:
Korzybski v. Underwood & Underwood, 36 F.2d 727 (2d Cir. 1929)」,來:http://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/36/727/1473183/

法院對專利文獻的著作權決定是,當Korzybski提出專利申請並取得專利,其中完整的揭露內容已經貢獻給大眾(dedicated to public),並取得發明的製造、使用與販售的壟斷權利,而公眾則有權知道專利的資訊,而有權利使用或複製當中文字與圖式

也就是,專利權已經賦予專利權人對於該發明的製造、使用與販售的壟斷權,其中揭露內容為公眾領域,不得主張著作權

"When Korzybski filed his application and received his patent, he made a full disclosure of his invention and dedicated it to the public, save for the right to make, use, and vend it during the period for which the patent gave him that monopoly. The public had the right to the information disclosed in his patent and the right to use and copy the text and diagrams. Section 7 of the Copyright Act (17 USCA § 7) provides: "That no copyright shall subsist in the original text of any work which is in the public domain." Everything disclosed in the patent became a part of the public domain, except the monopoly of the patentee to make, use, and vend the patented device for a limited time.
The filing of the application for the patent, including, of course, the diagrams, was a publication that entitled anyone to copy the drawings. Callaghan v. Myers, 128 U.S. 617, 9 S. Ct. 177, 32 L. Ed. 547. We cannot see that the complainant has disclosed anything different in his copyright from that which appears in his patent. The defendant has done no more than photograph the anthropometer. This we hold it had a right to do, because the anthropometer was an embodiment of the drawings of the patent. The copyright was invalid, because the subject-matter had become a part of the public domain when complainant filed the prior application which resulted in the grant of his patent.
An inventor who has applied for and obtained a patent cannot extend his monopoly by taking out a copyright under section 5(i) of the Copyright Law, 17 USCA § 5(i), on what he has already diagrammatically disclosed.
The decree is affirmed."

資料來源:http://www.bitlaw.com/
Ron

2016年12月26日 星期一

太陽能板道路 - 產品與專利

太陽能板可以裝在哪裡?屋頂、玻璃帷幕大樓、曠野、還有水上(如下連結),但也有人放在道路上。如果結構可以撐住大量來往的車輛,這是個很棒的想法,不過待克服的功課還是很多。

參考資料:漂浮太陽能發電廠(產品與專利,日本專利檢索實作)(http://enpan.blogspot.tw/2015/04/blog-post_30.html

這裡介紹一個鋪設於法國諾曼第Tourouvre-au-Perche小鎮的太陽能道路,這條1公里長、2800平方公尺的太陽能道路共花了500萬歐元,經過2年每天2000個車輛經過的測試,每小時發電3000度(3,000kWh),可以供應一個3400居民的小鎮的街燈所有用電。而設計這個太陽能道路公司COLAS在全球已經承接100個計畫了。

新聞:
http://www.ouest-france.fr/normandie/tourouvre-au-perche-61190/route-solaire-s-royal-veut-deployer-l-experimentation-en-france-4699205

COLAS:
http://www.colas.com/en



Colas WattWay:
http://www.wattwaybycolas.com/en/


US20160035911
這是一件PCT進入美國案,並執行幾次主動修正,原本修正針對消除多重附屬項,之後索性重寫而提出一份新的專利範圍,發明揭露一種道路上的光伏結構(photovoltaic structure),關於如何將太陽能板埋入道路柏油中的技術。列舉新增範圍claim 21,界定一個道路上用的光伏結構,具有不透明的表面,覆蓋有光伏電池的上表面有符合相關規定的道路需要的不規則紋理與微結構。

21. A photovoltaic structure, or a photovoltaic structure for a roadway for pedestrian and vehicular traffic, comprising:
at least one photovoltaic cell;
a non-opaque surfacing, covering at least a front face of the photovoltaic cell and having an outer surface which is irregularly macrotextured and irregularly microtextured, with a mean texture depth MTD measured according to the NF EN 13036-1 standard of between 0.2 mm and 3 mm and a PSV value of resistance to polishing according to the NF EN 13043 standard of at least PSV44, or PSV50, or PSV53.


新聞來源:
https://www.inside.com.tw/2016/12/23/worlds-first-solar-panel-road-opens-in-france
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/dec/22/solar-panel-road-tourouvre-au-perche-normandy?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

SOLAR ROADWAYS:
這是另一個太陽能地板的設計概念:
http://www.theverge.com/2014/5/26/5751880/plan-to-cover-roads-with-solar-panels-raises-1-million

Solar Roadways:
http://www.solarroadways.com/


以下為相同發明人Scott David Brusaw, Julie A. Brusaw的專利:

US8907202
揭露一種形成網絡的太陽能板的能源收集與散布的技術,核准專利範圍似乎不廣,包括系統與方法,這個太陽能電池系統主要元件為供行人與車輛通過的支撐結構,以及相關控制系統,表面面板倒是為透明的。









US D712,822




Ron

2016年12月23日 星期五

維持軟件服務商標的條件 - IN RE: JOBDIVA, INC. (Fed. Cir. 2016)

這是一件TTAB(Trademark Trial and Appeal Board)上訴的商標爭議案,關於軟體開發商是否要「多做一點」才能持續擁有這個服務商標?

案件資訊:
上訴人:JOBDIVA, INC.
TTAB案號:No. 92050828
系爭商標:2004年獲准服務商標No.2851917:JobDiva


系爭商標涉及的服務為"人事配置與招聘服務、電腦服務",也就是提供招聘與就業廣告的人力資源服務。本次爭議涉及服務商標「JobDiva」是否用在人事配置與招聘服務上,以及是否TTAB正確判斷JobDiva不符商標法,因為商標權人僅提供軟體程式,但並沒有提供更多服務。也就是此服務商標的範圍及於人員招聘,但是商權權人僅開發軟體,但是並未提供實質的服務。

本案例原本起於JobDiva提出撤銷JobVite的商標,理由是「JobVite(No.3103253)」與「JobDiva(No.3013235)」類似,以及商標審查時並沒有細查JobVite與其註冊項目不符。但是當JobVite反訴(Counterclaim)JobDiva並沒有提供商標註冊的相關人事招聘服務,於是TTAB轉過來審理JobDiva的商標有效性,JobDiva, Inc. v. Jobvite, Inc., Cancellation No. 92050828, 2015 WL 2170162 (T.T.A.B. Apr. 16, 2015)。

vs.
(來源:https://www.jobdiva.com/http://www.jobvite.com/

涉及爭議的商標如下:
No.3013235


No.2851917:


在TTAB階段,TTAB委員將商標「JobDiva」連結到其推出的軟體,因此要求JobDiva應證明除了提供軟體外有否多做一點(指實質提供人事招聘的服務),因此認為JobDiva商標權無效。經商標權人上訴,CAFC不認同TTAB決定,認為應該要問:『是否JobDiva透過其軟體執行人事配置與招聘服務,以及是否消費者可以藉由連結JobDiva的註冊商標而連結人事招聘的服務,不論這些招聘流程是否由軟體執行』。

"whether JobDiva, through its software, performed personnel placement and recruitment services and whether consumers would associate JobDiva’s registered marks with personnel placement and recruitment services, regardless of whether the steps of the service were performed by software."


CAFC階段:

Lanham Act規定應撤銷連續三年內未使用的商標。根據CAFC案例「On-Line Careline, Inc. v. Am. Online, Inc., 229 F.3d 1080 (Fed. Cir. 2000)」,更準確地,應該是「連續三年未於其註冊的物品或服務項目中使用的商標應被撤銷」。

Lanham Act Sec. 1(a):

§1051 APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION; VERIFICATION

BEGINNING OF SUBCHAPTER I—THE PRINCIPAL REGISTER

(a) Application for use of trademark
(1) The owner of a trademark used in commerce may request registration of its trademark on the principal register hereby established by paying the prescribed fee and filing in the Patent and Trademark Office an application and a verified statement, in such form as may be prescribed by the Director, and such number of specimens or facsimiles of the mark as used as may be required by the Director.
(2) The application shall include specification of the applicant's domicile and citizenship, the date of the applicant's first use of the mark, the date of the applicant's first use of the mark in commerce, the goods in connection with which the mark is used, and a drawing of the mark.
TTAB對於法條的判讀,在現今電子商務的時代,當消費者進入公司的網頁並存取當中軟體以執行其中方法,公司即提供使用軟體執行的服務,但認為這是軟體,卻不是商標法定義的服務。於是,CAFC判斷JobDiva提供了網頁服務,這是否如同產品或服務?

爭議在,以網頁提供服務的方式是否僅是提供軟體,或是使用如商標的服務?

CAFC至少同意TTAB對於判斷軟體是否符合這個服務商標的態度:審查時應考量商標如何使用,以及潛在客戶的感受("Board properly noted, “to review all the information in the record to understand both how the mark is used and how it will be perceived by potential customers."),只是因為TTAB認為JobDiva並未提出對應的證據證明他們在提供軟體(網頁)外有提供人事招聘的實質服務,因此作出撤銷商標權的決定。

這就涉及不少「電子商務」的服務商標的「使用」了。如AOL,它提供使用者透過螢幕選單存取其服務,在過去案例表示AOL使用其服務商標識別所提供的服務。如此表示,企業可以使用軟體提供商標註冊的服務

回到本次爭議商標No.3013235,這顯然對應一個透過電腦網路提供的服務,其透過網際網路提供招聘與僱用員工的資料庫、廣告、就業資訊與資源,並協助客戶維護與傳送履歷等,因此,CAFC認為JobDiva的使用連結了商標,並已足夠建立消費者感受與其商標的連結



最後,CAFC丟回TTAB一個問題:
"whether purchasers would perceive JobDiva’s marks to identify “personnel placement and recruitment” services"

結論:發回重審。

my two cents:
編者對商標是業餘,覺得有趣,簡單的結論是,以軟體(包括網頁)提供服務的商標應要消費者可以感覺到連結到商標註冊的服務項目。

CAFC判決文:
http://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/opinions-orders/15-1960.Opinion.12-8-2016.1.PDF
(備份:https://app.box.com/s/myprzxr5ir71yyp56uosnsldnyc36ud4

TTAB No.92050828:
https://e-foia.uspto.gov/Foia/RetrievePdf?system=TTABIS&flNm=92050828-04-16-2015
(備份:https://app.box.com/s/tid1e1uo7drxunztffwnghnnjzqi5wjl

資料參考:
http://patentlyo.com/patent/2016/12/jobdiva-service-software.html

Ron

2016年12月22日 星期四

區塊鏈專利筆記

比特幣(bitcoin),或說數位貨幣、加密貨幣等倚賴的區塊鏈(blockchain)技術是個漸漸取代傳統金融行業的一種虛擬交易模式,要瞭解其中技術可以參考相關專利,經過簡單檢索,發現區塊鏈技術主要應用在「數位貨幣」,也就是「經過網路傳遞的加密貨幣」;但應用更多,比如一些專利提到的電子投票、醫療服務、股票交易,交易基於極為安全的區塊鏈因為採用分散式管理,網路上的節點共同維護交易帳本,不容易被駭客破壞;另仍可以中央集中管理,這可以提供"傳統"網路銀行(銀行擔負交易第三方仲裁者)與數位貨幣的連結。區塊鏈的交易技術主要仍是一個平行管理的去中心化方式。

雖然用"blockchain"搜尋區塊鏈的專利是一個很直覺的方式,但是一定會漏掉不少,至少基礎專利應該不會使用"blockchain"這個用語,不過卻可以一窺究竟。

這裡部分資訊源自經濟部智慧財產局「FinTech專利前瞻趨勢與挑戰金融科技專利現況」簡報:https://www.tipo.gov.tw/site/UipTipo/public/Attachment/68216512846.pdf

一些區塊鏈專利分享,從其中可以學到區塊鏈技術。

21 Inc.

(來源:https://21.co/

–US20160125040
(溯及2014年優先權)
揭露一種具有分享處理邏輯的數位貨幣探勘電路。其為一種具有加密貨幣能力的IC

應用的基礎就在比特幣,右圖顯示點對點比特幣的運作協定,如節點10以連線12連接其他節點,節點為電腦裝置,每個節點10維護一個關於所有或部分全球網路上以比特幣交易的帳本( ledger ),節點之間將確認每筆交易,以維護帳本的有效性。

右方顯示幾種加密貨幣交易模式下的封包資訊,圖3顯示一筆交易120的封包資訊包括了檔頭122、輸入124與輸出126。檔頭122包括一些欄位,其中記載識別此比交易的識別符、時間與交易資訊。使用比特幣交易時,雙方都有個數位錢包,封包資訊即記載了來源與目的地的數位錢包資訊,輸入124與輸出126也就代表了來源與目的地的數位錢包。

4表示交易130,輸入124包括前一筆交易的識別符,以及數位簽章,也就是維護的全球帳本的前一筆交易,並有一記載前一筆交易目的地錢包的欄位126

5為記載以比特幣交易的原始資訊,包括識別符142、區塊高度144與隨機值146。區塊高度144用於識別交易記載在帳本的位置,隨機值146是運算所需的值。

此專利所稱探勘演算是用來確認與記錄交易資料,以及產生全球帳本的區塊(block)。

6顯示一個區塊150,這就是一個全球帳本,包括有檔頭152、比特幣交易資料140,以及各筆交易內容156

9顯示一個區塊鏈200,其中包括啟始塊150‘(沒有前一區塊),每一個接續的區塊150則如箭頭202顯示指向前一個區塊150在探勘演算中,裝置收集尚未被區塊鏈200記載的交易資料,使得每個新增的區塊具有識別前一筆交易的識別符,以接續記載在區塊鏈200上。若區塊鏈200上具有連結同一識別符的分支204區塊,將因重複記載而被忽略。

Coinbase 

–US20150262137A1
揭露一種結合區塊鏈內交易的鏈外交易技術,比特幣可以使用數位錢包以電子郵件傳送,因而沒有需要繳付手續費。商人與客戶之間的交易可以鎖在一個本地端的匯率上。其中提出一種保險庫(vault),其中有多個電子郵件,可以授權轉換比特幣到保險庫外。比特幣的轉換可以讓使用者隨己意定價而交易。

右圖顯示比特幣交易的網路環境12,發明提出第一主機電腦14與第二主機電腦16,使用者18, 20經網際網路22連接前述第一主機電腦14,使用者裝置24連接第二主機電腦16,比特幣交易網路環境12有多個外部節點32A~D,還有比特幣交換電腦系統26與一探勘者電腦系統28,分別連接網路12中的不同節點。

前述第一主機電腦14主要用來交易「區塊鏈外」的比特幣,其中提供一個網站34,提供使用者界面,讓使用者可以登入服務,其中有建立錢包以及管理錢包的功能,這是一種以電子郵件為基礎的數位錢包。

此圖示意表示如何使用電子郵件執行比特幣交易,其中連結就是指向前述主機電腦的網站,藉此可以讓使用者使用網頁瀏覽器進入系統,執行比特幣交易。

一些比特幣交易的網頁界面,其中包括可以綁銀行帳號與信用卡,使得比特幣成為容易流通的虛擬貨幣。

主機電腦中維護的數位錢包。


所述第一主機電腦14包括一個區塊鏈檢查器567以及一比特幣更新器568,區塊鏈檢查器567週期性地檢查區塊鏈,判斷是否有新的交易,若有新的交易即要求比特幣更新器568更新。

如此達成鏈外交易。

Synack 

https://www.synack.com/
有關比特幣交易安全
–US2016078221A1
–US9195809B1
–US9015847B1
–US9177156B1
–EP2942750A1
–CN105100042A
–AU2015202373A1

Blockchain 

https://www.blockchain.com/
–WO2016022864A3

揭露一種安全接收與計算選票的系統與方法。(區塊鏈的應用
 這是一種區塊鏈技術,應用在電子投票系統,每個投票機器有條碼刷卡機,通訊裝置與提供投票的電腦,區塊鏈用來儲存投票結果。當有投票行為,每一張票經刷卡機完成投票,這些資訊經加密後更新在投票區塊鏈(voting blockchain)中。

下圖顯示有一投票機器701,有個掃描器702,用以掃描選票,計票以投票軟體703執行,其中包括一個區塊鏈客戶端程式704,當投票軟體接收到投票資料,將加密後傳送到區塊鏈客戶端程式704,投票資料將封裝於區塊鏈封包中,經網路介面705廣播到網路上。

下圖顯示投票區塊之間使用滑動鏈(slidechain)的技術,每個投票區塊1301建立分支區塊,用以儲存投票資料1306,其中安全機制可以防止非授權投票資料,防止竄改。


利用前述滑動鏈的技術,形成唯一區塊鏈1400,其中投票區塊1401產生分支區塊,用以儲存特定投票人的投票資料,每個分支鏈包括唯一投票區塊1402,用以儲存由投票區塊1401識別的人的投票資料。

前述滑動鏈用以儲存投票人與投票資料,特別以分支區塊儲存。
當有投票資料儲存在根區塊1502的分支區塊1503時,即應用滑動鏈作為投票資料庫,可將投票資料儲存到每個投票區塊中。每個投票行為將更新計數區塊1505


美國銀行

(來源:https://www.bankofamerica.com/
–US20150363769
揭露一種加密貨幣即時轉換系統,所提出的系統包括有多個貨幣轉換規則,也就是將實際貨幣轉換為加密貨幣的技術,並能判斷是否為理想的轉換。
(這是虛擬貨幣風險管理的技術)


目前公開的請求項範圍界定的系統包括有記憶體與處理器,經處理器執行的指令後,讓系統執行:
(1)接收加密貨幣轉換的請求;
(2)接收到價格資料,並取得第一、第二貨幣的價值;
(3)判斷兩個貨幣的轉換是否為最佳?
(4)判斷匯率;

(5)執行最佳轉換。


高盛銀行
–US 20150332395

揭露一種在金融市場中證券結算的加密貨幣技術,其中建立一種加密貨幣協定,可支援虛擬錢包,其中包括證券與現金帳戶,可以管理加密貨幣。提供安全的虛擬錢包交易轉換加密貨幣。


上圖顯示有個交易者A具有一個數位錢包702,要轉虛擬貨幣到另一個交易者B的錢包704,交易者B傳送位址給交易者A,交易者A即產生交易訊息,使用加密技術後,傳送虛擬貨幣,並將此交易廣播到網路上。在網路上確認此筆交易(帳本,區塊鏈),使得交易者A有虛擬貨幣的擁有權。

另外,簡單用幾個關鍵字檢索美國專利(我相信這類新創商業技術還是美國有最完整的相關專利),以下列舉幾件。

SKUChain, Inc.
US9436923揭露追蹤物品來源的技術。
即便物品經過再次單位化、重新包裝或是轉換,系統將點對點追蹤經標記的物品的來源,系統可挖掘出第一、第二加密代碼,其中包括私鑰,可用為標記,具有公鑰,則是用來識別在distributed consensus network的密碼位址。系統可藉由公開連結於原始第一加密可驗證紀錄與原始數量而追蹤一個來源項目,於是系統可以藉由公開至網路,以及公開至連結於新的庫存單元的第二加密可驗證紀錄而重新單位化來源項目。


圖中顯示一個物品來源管理系統200,具有區塊鏈分析引擎202以及交易引擎206,來源管理系統200維護一個加密公鑰的信任管理處210,公鑰用以驗證數位簽章。區塊鏈分析引擎202連接一區塊鏈介面212,此介面可用以存取前述網路中的分散式共識系統,此系統維護區塊中的程序,區塊記載著曾經發生的交易資訊。區塊鏈分析引擎202即用以分析區塊鏈中的交易,以判斷當中的模式(pattern)、事件(event)、趨勢(trend)以及警告(warning),交易引擎206可以存取信任管理處210,以取出公鑰來驗證數位簽章。


此圖描述確認物品來源的流程,系統提供使用者可以利用區塊鏈的技術查詢過去交易紀錄,並產生來源報表,以追溯物品來源而協助做信任判斷。

CA, Inc.
US9413735
比特幣為一個軟體為基礎的點對點交易技術,比特幣一般儲存在數位錢包中,數位錢包儲存在雲端、個人電腦或行動裝置中,使用此錢包即運作如一個虛擬銀行帳戶,讓使用者傳送與接收比特幣,可進行支付,執行的交易紀錄於公開的帳本中,也就是區塊鏈的技術,其中記載了各個交易的比特幣位址識別符。

本篇專利就是將執行比特幣交易的安全金鑰的處理技術,金鑰經一處理成分散在不同儲存裝置中的片段,加強其安全性,之後需要使用的時候,將重組金鑰。

MANIFOLD TECHNOLOGY, INC.
US9397985揭露一種提供交換資訊的加密平台的技術,各種交易資訊記載於公開帳本中,交易資訊如交易雙方識別資料、交易內容,並且經加密保護在帳本中。系統100就是一個交換資訊(交易)的平台,從平台進出的資訊就要經過加解密,包含了帳本142,本篇專利就是討論透過此加密平台中來往資訊的加解密技術。


Mark Russell
US 9135787 B1
提出一種比特幣ATM,其中執行的步驟有:(i)經由用戶介面接收客戶行動電話號碼;(ii)向客戶的行動電話發送資料,包括隨機碼;(iii)接收和確認由客戶通過用戶介面輸入的隨機碼;(iv)接收由客戶經由用戶介面輸入的密碼;(v)經由生物測定學介面接收手掌靜脈圖案;(vi)拍攝客戶照片;以及(vii)判讀照片的識別數據。




本篇參考內容:
http://www.coindesk.com/looming-war-blockchain-patents/

這裡很多資訊源自經濟部智慧財產局「FinTech專利前瞻趨勢與挑戰金融科技專利現況」簡報:https://www.tipo.gov.tw/site/UipTipo/public/Attachment/68216512846.pdf

搜尋區塊鏈資料時,看到前輩的資料:
http://synergytek.com.tw/blog/2016/10/18/區塊鏈技術會引爆還是阻止新的專利大戰發生?/

其他參考:
全球最大區塊鏈聯盟R3(R3CEV LLC,http://www.r3cev.com/
https://buzzorange.com/techorange/blockchain/
https://kknews.cc/tech/geormy.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blockchain_(database)

Ron