2013年10月31日，創辦Pi-Net International, Inc與WebXchange Inc.公司(有關此兩家公司所涉及之專利訴訟案件概述，可參見本網站過往報導《SAP提起請求法院Pi-Net之3項專利不侵權確認之訴》)的Lakshmi Arunachalam博士(下稱Arunachalam)，向美國德州東區聯邦地院提起專利侵權告訴，控告營業總部設在俄亥俄州的女性內衣品牌公司Victoria's Secret Direct Brand Management, LLC，其所營運、有提供線上購物服務之公司網站http://www.victoriassecret.com，侵害了Arunachalam所擁有、與透過網際網路進行即時線上交易技術相關之專利權利。
本案系爭專利為美國專利編號US 8,346,894，名稱為「從網路應用程式進行即時網路交易(Real-time web transactions from web applications)」，於2013年1月1日核發。
系爭專利之優先權日為1995年11月13日，而Arunachalam在當時以臨時申請案(provisional application，美國專利申請號為60/006,634) 提出，之後透過分割案或連續案等專利申請技巧，就同一技術領域申請並取得多項專利權利，例如：US 5,778,178(於1998年7月7日核發)、US 7,340,506(於2008年3月4日核發)、US 8,037,158(於2011年10月11日核發)、US 8,108,492(於2012年1月31日核發)、US 8,244,833(於2012年8月14日核發)、US 8,271,339(於2012年9月18日核發)、US 8,407,318(於2013年3月26日核發)等。
在2013年8月12日Arunachalam便以其個人名義、基於本案系爭專利權利向本案相同法院，提起將近30件之專利侵權告訴，控告橫跨不同業種與產品類別之購物網站(如連鎖超市Wal-Mart、辦公用品零售商Office Depot、玩具零售商Toys "R" Us、寵物用品零售商Petco等)構成專利侵權。
而在2013年7月間，Arunachalam 亦曾向美國德拉瓦州聯邦地院提起多項專利侵權告訴，控告諸如網路服務銀行(如TD Bank)、提供工資支付等人力資源委外服務公司(如Paychex Inc.)、提供線上貸款服務之公司(如Axcess Financial Service Inc.)等，就其擁有之專利構成侵權。(931字；表4)
表一、請求項解析
| US 8,346,894 請求項1 |
1. A computer-implemented method for completing a real-time Web transaction from a Web application in an on-line service over a digital network on the Web, the method comprising:
一項以電腦執行之方法，用來在於網際網路上透過數位網路所進行之線上服務中、從一網路應用程式完成一即時網路交易，該項方法包括 |
displaying at least one Web application specific to an on-line service over a digital network on the Web, wherein the Web application is a point-of-service (POSvc) Web application (FIG.5B - 510), and further wherein the digital network is an overlay service network running on top of an IP-based facilities network selected from a group consisting of the physical TCP/IP-based Internet, the Web and email networks, wherein the facilities network is a physical network;
顯示至少一網路應用程式，其特定於一項於網際網路上透過數位網路所進行之線上服務，其中前述網路應用程式為一服務據點(POSvc)網路應用程式，而其中數位網路是在基於網路網路協定所架設之設備網路上執行的覆蓋服務網路，前述設備網路可從基於TCP/IP所架設的實體網際網路、網站與電子郵件網路中選擇，且設備網路為一實體網路 |
accepting a first signal comprising a request from the point-of-service (POSvc) Web application for a real-time Web transaction specific to a Web merchant's value-added network service on the Web offered as the online service over the digital network on the Web;
接受第一訊號，其由來自服務據點(POSvc)網路應用程式之要求所構成、並用於特定於一網路商家在網路上之加值網路服務的即時網路交易，前述加值網路服務被當成前述於網際網路上透過數位網路所進行之線上服務來提供 |
utilizing one or more objects in the Web application and the information entries and the attributes of the one or more objects, wherein the one or more objects are one or more individual data structures in and specific to the POSvc Web application in said request, wherein the individual data structure in the POSvc Web application is an object identity with the information entries and attributes specific to the Web transaction request from the Web application, to connect in real-time to the value-added network service of the Web merchant without executing Common Gateway Interface (CGI) scripts;
使用一或多個網路應用程式中的物件以及前述一或多個物件之資訊輸入與屬性，其中前述一或多個物件是在前述要求中於POSvc網路應用程式中並特定於POSvc網路應用程式的一或多個個別資料結構，其中在POSvc網路應用程式中的個別資料結構為具備特定於來自網路應用程式之網路交易要求的資訊輸入與屬性的一物件識別，用以即時在不執行共用閘道介面(CGI)描述語言的情況下與網路商家之加值網路服務連結 |
executing said connection at the OSI application layer, utilizing application layer routing of the object identity with the information entries and attributes over the service network on the Web, and further wherein the object in the POSvc Web application is not an SNMP object;
在開放式系統連接(OSI)應用層上執行前述連結，使用應用層為前述具備資訊輸入與屬性之物件識別在網路上透過服務網路進行選路，且其中在POSvc網路應用程式中的物件並非簡單網路管理協定(SNMP)之物件 |
routing the one or more individual data structures in the POSvc Web application together with said information entries and attributes from said Web application over the service network on the Web, wherein the routing the one or more individual data structures in the POSvc Web application together with said information entries and attributes from said Web application over the service network on the Web is object routing on the World Wide Web performed as OSI application layer routing, distinct from routing at the transport layer of the OSI model or network layer of the OSI model or lower layers of the OSI model;
在網路上透過服務網路、為在POSvc網路應用程式中一或多個個別資料結構、併同前述來自前述網路應用程式之資料輸入與屬性進行選路，其中在網路上透過服務網路、為在POSvc網路應用程式中一或多個個別資料結構、併同前述來自前述網路應用程式之資料輸入與屬性所進行之選路，為在網際網路上之物件選路，其做為OSI應用層選路而被執行，並有別於OSI模式中傳輸層、網路層或較低階層的選路 |
managing the connection between said Web transaction request from the POSvc Web application and the Web merchant's services from end-to-end in real-time; and
從端到端、即時地管理，前述來自網路應用程式之網路交易要求與網路商家服務間的連結 |
completing a real-time Web transaction from said Web application, wherein the online service is a loan Web application.
從前述網路應用程式完成一即時網路交易’，其中線上服務為一貸款網路應用程式 |
  |
Source: 科技政策研究與資訊中心—科技產業資訊室整理，2013/11
表二、專利訴訟案件基本資料：Arunachalam博士控告Victoria's Secret
| 訴訟名稱 |
Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Victoria's Secret Direct Brand Management, LLC |
| 提告日期 |
2013年10月31日 |
| 原告 |
Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam |
| 被告 |
Victoria's Secret Direct Brand Management, LLC |
| 案號 |
2:13-cv-00897-JRG |
| 訴訟法院 |
the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas |
| 系爭專利 |
US 8,346,894 |
| 系爭服務 |
美國女性內衣品牌Victoria’s Secret的網站，http://www.victoriassecret.com/
(最後瀏覽日：2013/11/11) |
| 訴狀下載 |
 |
Source: 科技政策研究與資訊中心—科技產業資訊室整理，2013/11
表三、Arunachalam博士向本案相同法院所提告之其他案件
| 提告日期 |
案件名稱 |
被告 |
案號 |
系爭專利 |
| 2013年11月1日 |
Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Bath & Body Works Brand Management, Inc. |
Bath & Body Works Brand Management, Inc. |
2:13-cv-00932 |
US 8,346,894 |
| 2013年8月12日 |
Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Aeropostale, Inc. |
Aeropostale, Inc. |
2:13-cv-00589 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. |
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. |
2:13-cv-00590 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Staples, Inc. |
Staples, Inc. |
2:13-cv-00591 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. |
Wal-Mart Stores |
2:13-cv-00592 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. AutoZone Inc. |
AutoZone Inc. |
2:13-cv-00593 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Office Depot, Inc. |
Office Depot, Inc. |
2:13-cv-00594 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Sears Holdings Corporation |
Sears Holdings Corporation |
2:13-cv-00595 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Chico's FAS, Inc. |
Chico's FAS, Inc. |
2:13-cv-00596 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Best Buy Co., Inc. |
Best Buy Co., Inc. |
2:13-cv-00597 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Dillard's Inc. |
Dillard's Inc. |
2:13-cv-00598 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. OfficeMax Inc. |
OfficeMax Inc. |
2:13-cv-00599 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. W. W. Grainger, Inc. |
W. W. Grainger, Inc. |
2:13-cv-00600 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Edible Arrangements International |
Edible Arrangements International |
2:13-cv-00601 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Victoria's Secret Direct LLC |
Victoria's Secret Direct LLC |
2:13-cv-00602 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Bath & Body Works, LLC |
Bath & Body Works, LLC |
2:13-cv-00603 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. The Finish Line, Inc. |
The Finish Line, Inc. |
2:13-cv-00604 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. J.C. Penney Company, Inc. |
J.C. Penney Company, Inc. |
2:13-cv-00605 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Target Corporation |
Target Corporation |
2:13-cv-00606 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Foot Locker, Inc. |
Foot Locker, Inc. |
2:13-cv-00607 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Kohl's Corporation |
Kohl's Corporation |
2:13-cv-00608 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Toys "R" Us, Inc. |
Toys "R" Us, Inc. |
2:13-cv-00610 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. GameStop Corp. |
GameStop Corp. |
2:13-cv-00611 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Walgreen Co. |
Walgreen Co. |
2:13-cv-00612 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. The Home Depot, Inc. |
The Home Depot, Inc. |
2:13-cv-00613 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. The Jones Group Inc. |
The Jones Group Inc. |
2:13-cv-00614 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. |
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. |
2:13-cv-00615 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Lowe's Companies Inc. |
Lowe's Companies Inc. |
2:13-cv-00616 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Macy's Inc. |
Macy's Inc. |
2:13-cv-00617 |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Petco Animal Supplies Inc. |
Petco Animal Supplies Inc. |
2:13-cv-00618 |
US 8,346,894 |
Source: 科技政策研究與資訊中心—科技產業資訊室整理，2013/11
表四、Arunachalam博士向美國德拉瓦州聯邦地院(the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware)所提告之其他案件
| 提告日期 |
案件名稱 |
被告 |
案號 |
系爭專利 |
| 2013年7月29日 |
Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Ally Financial Inc. et al |
Ally Financial Inc.Ally Bank |
1:13-cv-01347-RGA |
US 8,271,339 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Barclays Bank Delaware |
Barclays Bank Delaware |
1:13-cv-01348-RGA |
US 8,271,339 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Paychex Inc. et al |
Paychex Inc.Advantage Payroll Services Inc.SurePayroll Inc. |
1:13-cv-01349-RGA |
US 8,244,833 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Paycom Payroll LLC |
Paycom Payroll LLC |
1:13-cv-01350-RGA |
US 8,244,833 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Payday One LLC et al |
Payday One LLCThink Finance Inc. |
1:13-cv-01351-RGA |
US 8,244,833 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Integrity Advance LLC |
Integrity Advance LLC |
1:13-cv-01352-RGA |
US 8,346,894 |
| 2013年7月26日 |
Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Fulton Financial Corporation |
Fulton Financial Corporation |
1:13-cv-01333-RGA |
US 8,271,339 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Enova International Inc. et al |
Enova International Inc.Cash America International Inc. |
1:13-cv-01334-RGA |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Axcess Financial Services Inc. |
Axcess Financial Services Inc. |
1:13-cv-01335-RGA |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Acquisition Media LLC et al |
Acquisition Media LLCBlue Global LLC |
1:13-cv-01336-RGA |
US 8,346,894 |
| Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. Kronos Incorporated |
Kronos Incorporated |
1:13-cv-01337-RGA |
US 8,244,833 |
| 2013年7月25日 |
Dr. Lakshmi Arunachalam v. TD Bank National Association |
TD Bank National Association |
1:13-cv-01328-RGA |
US 8,271,339 |
Source: 科技政策研究與資訊中心—科技產業資訊室整理，2013/11
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