Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

IP News

By Howard Shire and Shaleen Patel
June 01, 2021

Federal Circuit Invalidates Parts of VoIP Patent

Uniloc 2017 LLC v. Apple, Inc.

In a near total victory for Apple, the Federal Circuit affirmed a decision by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) rendering invalid certain claims of U.S. Patent No. 8,539,552 (the '552 Patent) owned by Uniloc 2017 LLC (Uniloc), because of obviousness. Specifically, the court found claims 1-17 and 23-25 obvious, while claims 18-22 remained patentable.

The '552 Patent is directed to a system and method to police features associated with telecom systems using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), such as caller-ID, call waiting, multi-line services, and codec specification. The patent recognizes that the proliferation of intelligent client devices in communication networks requires providers to maintain control over the use of their networks' features in order to continue generating revenue. To achieve that control, the patented system employs an enforcement mechanism within the provider's core network through which clients send "signaling messages" for setting up their communication sessions. Because the enforcement point sits between the sender of the communication and the intended recipient, the provider can inspect the signaling messages and ensure that both ends of the communication are authorized to use particular features.

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
Strategy vs. Tactics: Two Sides of a Difficult Coin Image

With each successive large-scale cyber attack, it is slowly becoming clear that ransomware attacks are targeting the critical infrastructure of the most powerful country on the planet. Understanding the strategy, and tactics of our opponents, as well as the strategy and the tactics we implement as a response are vital to victory.

'Huguenot LLC v. Megalith Capital Group Fund I, L.P.': A Tutorial On Contract Liability for Real Estate Purchasers Image

In June 2024, the First Department decided Huguenot LLC v. Megalith Capital Group Fund I, L.P., which resolved a question of liability for a group of condominium apartment buyers and in so doing, touched on a wide range of issues about how contracts can obligate purchasers of real property.

The Article 8 Opt In Image

The Article 8 opt-in election adds an additional layer of complexity to the already labyrinthine rules governing perfection of security interests under the UCC. A lender that is unaware of the nuances created by the opt in (may find its security interest vulnerable to being primed by another party that has taken steps to perfect in a superior manner under the circumstances.

CoStar Wins Injunction for Breach-of-Contract Damages In CRE Database Access Lawsuit Image

Latham & Watkins helped the largest U.S. commercial real estate research company prevail in a breach-of-contract dispute in District of Columbia federal court.

Fresh Filings Image

Notable recent court filings in entertainment law.