2009年6月11日專利授權公司Helferich Patent Licensing, L.L.C.(以下簡稱HPL）向美國伊利諾斯州北區聯邦地區法院提告NEC與Panasonic這2家日本公司。HPL聲稱，被告所製造、出售的手機侵犯了其在美國的9項專利(U.S. Patent Nos. 7,499,716、7,376,432、7,280,838、7,146,157、7,003,304、6,983,138、6,233,430、 6,097,941及6,087,956)。
表一、HPL公司控告NEC與Panasonic
|
提告日期
|
2009年6月11日
|
|
原告
|
Helferich Patent Licensing, LLC
|
|
被告
|
- Panasonic Corp.
- Panasonic Corp. North America
- NEC Corp.
- NEC Corp. of America
|
|
地點
|
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
|
|
案號
|
1:09-cv-03557 (v. Panasonic)
1:09-cv-03558 (v. NEC)
|
|
系爭專利
|
US 7,499,716 (System and method for delivering information to a transmitting and receiving device )
US 7,376,432 (Paging transceivers and methods for selectively retrieving messages )
US 7,280,838 (Paging transceivers and methods for selectively retrieving messages )
US 7,146,157 (Systems and methods for downloading audio information to a mobile device )
US 7,003,304 (Paging transceivers and methods for selectively retrieving messages )
US 6,983,138 (User interface for message access )
US 6,233,430 (Paging transceivers and methods for selectively retrieving messages )
US 6,097,941 (User interface for voice message access )
US 6,087,956 (Paging transceivers and methods for selectively erasing information )
|
|
爭議議題
|
1. 有關無線通信與訊息(wireless communication and messaging)技術。
2. 要求追溯期為6年，要求這2家公司給予3倍懲罰性賠償、利息費用和訴訟成本，同時向法院提請永久禁制令(Permanent Injunction)，要求禁止被告所涉案產品進入美國市場。
|
|
Source: 科技政策研究與資訊中心—科技產業資訊室整理，2009/06。
|
表二、系爭專利
| Publication |
Title |
Assignee |
Pub. Date |
Filed |
Priority |
IPC Code |
| US6087956 |
Paging transceivers and methods for selectively erasing information |
HELFERICH; RICHARD J |
2000-07-11 |
1997-09-19 |
1997-09-19 |
H04W 84/02 |
| US6097941 |
User interface for voice message access |
HELFERICH; RICHARD J |
2000-08-01 |
1997-12-12 |
1997-12-12 |
H04M 3/533 |
| US6233430 |
Paging transceivers and methods for selectively retrieving messages |
HELFERICH RICHARD J |
2001-05-15 |
1997-09-19 |
1997-09-19 |
H04W 84/02 |
| US6983138 |
User interface for message access |
Helferich; Richard J. |
2006-01-03 |
2000-02-23 |
1997-12-12 |
H04B 1/38 |
| US7003304 |
Paging transceivers and methods for selectively retrieving messages |
Thompson Investment Group, LLC |
2006-02-21 |
2000-10-13 |
1997-09-19 |
H04Q 7/20 |
| US7146157 |
Systems and methods for downloading audio information to a mobile device |
Helferich; Richard J. |
2006-12-05 |
2005-04-19 |
1997-12-12 |
H04L 12/58 |
| US7280838 |
Paging transceivers and methods for selectively retrieving messages |
Helferich; Richard J. |
2007-10-09 |
2005-03-18 |
1997-09-19 |
H04Q 7/20 |
| US7376432 |
Paging transceivers and methods for selectively retrieving messages |
Wireless Science, LLC |
2008-05-20 |
2005-03-17 |
1997-09-19 |
H04Q 7/20 |
HPL聲稱，至目前為止已與多家手機大廠達成持續授權協議(substantial licensing agreements)，有：Microsoft、HTC、 Research in Motion、Samsung、LG Electronics、Casio-Hitachi、Sony-Ericsson、Pantech 、ZTE、Asustek, and IMate。
HPL宣稱被告對其主張的專利，繼續故意和蓄意侵犯，向法院提出權利要求追溯期為6年，要求這2家公司給予3倍懲罰性賠償、利息費用和訴訟成本，同時向法院提請永久禁制令(Permanent Injunction)，要求禁止被告所涉案產品進入美國市場。
評析：
一、原告Helferich Patent Licensing公司，也就是所謂的專利授權公司(Non-Practicing Entities，NPE）。HPL是由獨立發明人Helferich, Richard J.所設立，擁有多件專利有關無線通信與訊息(wireless communication and messaging)的技術，並經多次轉移將其專利權獨家讓與HPL。
二、所謂的專利授權公司並不進行生產製造或產品銷售，但經由獨立研發或專利轉讓取得專利權，以專利訴訟為主要手段，向從事生產或製造公司收取授權金或賠償金為營利目標。這又是一樁以戰逼合， 雙方授權金價碼談判的訴訟策略。
(652字，表：2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------