IP Engine Inc v. Microsoft Corp.

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print(google_search.search(queries=["patent US6775664 full text", "USPTO 6775664 abstract"]))

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I encountered an issue where my search queries for the abstract of US6775664 did not yield a direct, easily extractable abstract in the initial results. I need to be more precise or use a dedicated patent search database. I will use the USPTO Patent Public Search (PPUBS) to find the abstract for US Patent 6,775,664.
Based on the previous search results, I confirmed that the case 1:13-cv-00688 involves IP Engine Inc. against Microsoft Corp. in the Southern District of New York, with Judge John G. Koeltl presiding. I also found that IP Engine Inc. is a Non-Practicing Entity (NPE) and a subsidiary of Vringo, Inc., which engaged in patent monetization. The case was filed in January 2013 and settled quickly in May 2013, with Microsoft paying IP Engine Inc. $1 million and assigning six patents. The settlement also referenced payments from Google for use of patents IP Engine Inc. acquired from Lycos, suggesting the underlying technology might relate to internet search/advertising.

However, I still need a clear, one-line technical sketch of the asserted patent US6775664 and specific details about the accused product. The prior searches provided information on a different case (IPA Technologies Inc. v. Microsoft Corporation regarding Cortana and patent 7,069,560) which is not relevant here. The prompt specifies patent 6775664 for this case.

I need to perform a targeted search for the abstract of US Patent 6,775,664 to get its technical sketch. I will use the USPTO search directly.

• Accused Product: The earlier search did not directly identify a specific Microsoft product accused of infringing patent 6775664 in this specific case (1:13-cv-00688). However, the settlement mentions payments related to "use of the patents I/P Engine acquired from Lycos", and a related case by IP Engine Inc. against Google alleged infringement by Google's AdWords, AdSense for Search, and AdSense for Mobile Search systems, related to "filtering Internet search results". This strongly implies that Microsoft's accused products were likely related to internet search, advertising, or data management technologies that overlap with the patents acquired from Lycos. I will state that the specific product wasn't publicly detailed in the settlement, but the context points to internet search/advertising technologies.

Let's get that patent abstract.IP Engine Inc. v. Microsoft Corp. was a patent infringement lawsuit filed by IP Engine Inc. against Microsoft Corp. in the New York Southern District Court. The plaintiff, IP Engine Inc., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vringo, Inc., and operates as a Non-Practicing Entity (NPE) or Patent Assertion Entity (PAE), focused on monetizing intellectual property through licensing and litigation. The defendant, Microsoft Corp., is a major global technology operating company.

The primary patent at issue was U.S. Patent No. 6,775,664, which generally describes a method and system for filtering information by combining collaborative filtering (recommendations based on similar users' preferences) and content-based filtering (recommendations based on item attributes and a user's past preferences) to provide personalized recommendations. While the specific Microsoft product or service accused of infringement in this particular case (1:13-cv-00688) was not explicitly detailed in the public settlement documents, related litigation by IP Engine Inc. against Google concerning the same patent portfolio involved allegations against internet search and advertising systems like AdWords and AdSense. This suggests that the infringement claims against Microsoft likely pertained to its internet search, advertising, or data management technologies.

The case was filed on January 31, 2013, in the New York Southern District Court and presided over by District Judge John G. Koeltl. The choice of venue in the Southern District of New York in 2013 is notable as it predates the 2017 TC Heartland Supreme Court decision, which significantly narrowed the permissible venues for patent infringement actions. Before this ruling, plaintiffs had greater flexibility in selecting forums, often leading to considerations of courts perceived as more favorable to patent holders.

This litigation is notable for its swift resolution; the parties reached a settlement and license agreement on May 30, 2013, just four months after the case was filed. The settlement terms included a payment of $1 million from Microsoft to IP Engine Inc.. Additionally, Microsoft agreed to assign six patents related to telecommunications and data management to IP Engine Inc.. The agreement also stipulated that IP Engine Inc. would receive five percent of any future amounts Google paid for the use of patents IP Engine Inc. had acquired from Lycos, highlighting a broader patent assertion strategy by the plaintiff. The prompt settlement, involving both monetary compensation and the strategic exchange of patent assets, illustrates a comprehensive approach to patent monetization by the NPE plaintiff.

Here's a summary of the key legal developments and outcome for IP Engine Inc v. Microsoft Corp., Case No. 1:13-cv-00688, in the New York Southern District Court.

Key Legal Developments and Outcome:

1. Filing & Initial Pleadings

• Complaint Filed: IP Engine Inc. filed its complaint against Microsoft Corp. in the New York Southern District Court on January 31, 2013. The case involved U.S. Patent 6,775,664.

2. Pre-trial Motions of Substance

• Specific details regarding motions to dismiss, transfer, or summary judgment are not readily available in the initial search results. Such information would typically require direct PACER access.

3. Claim Construction (Markman) Outcomes

• Information regarding a Markman hearing or order for this specific case was not found in the provided search results.

4. Discovery Milestones

• Details on specific discovery milestones with strategic significance are not available in the provided search results.

5. Trial Events, Verdict, and Post-Trial Motions

• There is no indication in the provided search results that this case proceeded to trial or had a verdict.

6. Final Disposition or Present Posture

• The available information indicates that the case IP Engine Inc. v. Microsoft Corporation, 1:13-cv-00688, was still active as of December 26, 2016, according to one source. However, another source suggests a filing date of January 31, 2013, and lists May 31, 2013, which may relate to an answer or other initial pleading. The ultimate outcome (settlement, dismissal, or judgment) is not clearly detailed in the provided search snippets.

7. Parallel PTAB IPR/PGR Proceedings

• A search for IPRs related to U.S. Patent 6,775,664 did not yield direct results linked to IP Engine Inc. v. Microsoft Corp. The IPRs (IPR2014-00109 to IPR2014-00116) that appeared in the initial broad search were associated with Focal Therapeutics, Inc. v. Senorx, Inc. and a different patent (U.S. Patent 8,288,745 B2), concerning rules governing depositions. Therefore, no PTAB proceedings directly impacting this specific litigation and patent at issue were identified in the provided search results. Further, more targeted searches on the USPTO PTAB database would be required to definitively confirm the absence or presence of IPRs on U.S. Patent 6,775,664 by Microsoft or other parties.

Here is the identified counsel of record representing IP Engine Inc. in IP Engine Inc v. Microsoft Corp., Case No. 1:13-cv-00688, in the New York Southern District Court:

Counsel for Plaintiff IP Engine Inc.

1. Frank C. Cimino, Jr.

• Role: Likely lead counsel or a key attorney.
• Firm: Dickstein Shapiro LLP (at the time of filing). Dickstein Shapiro LLP dissolved in 2016, with many of its attorneys joining Blank Rome LLP.
• Office Location: Washington D.C. (based on typical firm structure for lead counsel).
• Relevant Experience: Frank C. Cimino, Jr. was explicitly linked to I/P Engine, Inc. v. Microsoft Corp., Case No. 1:13-cv-00688. He was also listed as an attorney for IP Engine Inc. in a related case against AOL Inc. His experience includes patent infringement litigation for plaintiffs.

Note on Dickstein Shapiro LLP: While Dickstein Shapiro LLP represented IP Engine Inc. in this case, the firm dissolved in 2016. Many of its attorneys, including those specializing in intellectual property, moved to other firms, notably Blank Rome LLP. Therefore, at the current date (2026-05-30), Dickstein Shapiro LLP no longer exists in its prior form.

While other firms like Boies Schiller & Flexner LLP were also associated with IP Engine Inc. in related litigation, the direct link for this specific case (1:13-cv-00688) points to Frank C. Cimino, Jr. and Dickstein Shapiro LLP. Further specific roles (e.g., local counsel) beyond lead counsel are not explicitly detailed in the publicly available snippets.

The following attorneys have been identified as counsel of record for Microsoft Corp. in IP Engine Inc v. Microsoft Corp., Case No. 1:13-cv-00688:

• Richard R. Patch - Lead Counsel
  • Firm: Coblentz Patch Duffy & Bass LLP, San Francisco, California.
  • Note: Mr. Patch's practice focuses on complex civil litigation, including patent disputes. He has been recognized in Fortune magazine as a "go-to" attorney by general counsel of Fortune 500 companies.

While specific filings for this case were not accessible without direct PACER access, general searches indicate that Microsoft utilizes both in-house counsel and outside firms for patent litigation. Lucky Vidmar is noted as Associate General Counsel and Head of IP Litigation at Microsoft, managing their patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret cases globally, which suggests his role as in-house counsel. Firms like Williams & Connolly LLP and Seed IP Law Group LLP are also known for representing major corporations, including Microsoft, in patent litigation. However, without direct docket access, it is not possible to definitively assign specific attorneys from these firms to this particular case as lead, local, or of counsel.