Assignment history

Inventors

The sole named inventor is Jacob W. Jorgensen. At the time of filing, he was employed by Malibu Networks Inc., the original assignee. No unusual patterns of inventor departure are immediately apparent from the provided information, as he reassigned his interest to Malibu Networks Inc. twice, once at the initial filing and again in 2010, which appears to be part of asset consolidation or restructuring.

Original assignee

The original assignee on the issued patent US6640248 was Malibu Networks Inc., located in Calabasas, California. The patent text describes a "Proactive Reservation-based Intelligent Multimedia-aware Media Access (PRIMMA) layer, available from Malibu Networks Inc.," indicating they were an operating company that developed and likely intended to ship products embodying the claims, specifically in the field of wireless point-to-multipoint telecommunication systems with QoS capabilities. Their primary line of business was in wireless networking and telecommunications. Based on later assignment records referencing "BANKRUPTCY CREDITORS HOLDING CLAIMS," Malibu Networks Inc. appears to have become defunct or gone through bankruptcy proceedings, with its assets subsequently acquired by other entities.

Assignment timeline

• 1999-09-28 (executed) / recorded 1999-10-18 — Reel 010534/0970

  • Conveyance: Assignment
  • Assignor: JORGENSEN, JACOB W.
  • Assignee: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Correspondent: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Context: Original assignment of invention rights from the inventor to the corporate entity.

• 2000-04-20 (executed) / recorded 2000-05-01 — Reel 010834/0836

  • Conveyance: Security Agreement
  • Assignor: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Assignee: MMC/GATZ PARTNERSHIP NO. 1, COMDISCO, INC., SILICON VALLEY BANK
  • Correspondent: MICHAEL D. BARNARD, MALIBU NETWORKS, INC., 26790 WEST AGOURA ROAD, SUITE 200, CALABASAS, CA 91302. This correspondent appears on other tracked patents.
  • Context: Malibu Networks Inc. granted a security interest in its assets to a group of lenders.

• 2002-03-22 (executed) / recorded 2002-03-26 — Reel 012874/0959

  • Conveyance: Security Interest
  • Assignor: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Assignee: POLARIS VENTURE MANAGEMENT CO., II, L.L.C. AS AGENT
  • Correspondent: MICHAEL D. BARNARD, MALIBU NETWORKS, INC., 26790 W AGOURA RD, STE 200, CALABASAS, CA 91302. This correspondent appears on other tracked patents.
  • Context: Malibu Networks Inc. granted another security interest, this time to a venture capital agent.

• 2002-05-16 (executed) / recorded 2002-05-22 — Reel 012999/0972

  • Conveyance: Security Interest
  • Assignor: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Assignee: TRANSAMERICA TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORPORATION
  • Correspondent: NATHAN M. PARKS, ESQ., TRANSAMERICA TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORP., 1000 PINEBROOK ROAD, SUITE 210, MONTELLO, NY 11021.
  • Context: Malibu Networks Inc. granted a security interest to a technology finance corporation.

• 2002-09-09 (executed) / recorded 2002-09-12 — Reel 013233/0898

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignors Interest
  • Assignor: JORGENSEN, JABOB W. (sic, Jacob W.)
  • Assignee: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Correspondent: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Context: Re-assignment from the inventor to Malibu Networks Inc., possibly a corrective filing or confirmation.

• 2004-02-06 (executed) / recorded 2004-02-12 — Reel 015409/0149

  • Conveyance: Termination of Security Agreement
  • Assignor: MMC/GATX PARTNERSHIP, NO. 1 INDIVIDUALLY AND AS AGENT FOR SILICON VALLEY BANK AND COMDISCO, INC.
  • Assignee: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Correspondent: JAMES T. CAIRNS, GATX VENTURES, 4 EMBARCADERO CTR, SUITE 2200, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111-4148.
  • Context: The security interest granted on 2000-05-01 was terminated.

• 2004-09-03 (executed) / recorded 2004-09-16 — Reel 015967/0345

  • Conveyance: Secured Party Bill of Sale and Transfer Statement
  • Assignor: STAC NETWORKS CORPORATION C/O ARCH VENTURE PARTNERS
  • Assignee: VAN DREBBEL MARINER LLC
  • Correspondent: JAMES D. BOOTH, ESQ., WEIL, GOTSHAL & MANGES LLP, 201 REDWOOD SHORES PKWY, SUITE 100, REDWOOD SHORES, CA 94065-1175.
  • Context: Transfer of assets, including this patent, from Stac Networks Corporation (acting as a secured party or asset holder) to Van Drebbel Mariner LLC.

• 2010-12-10 (executed) / recorded 2010-12-15 — Reel 025498/0062

  • Conveyance: Security Agreement
  • Assignor: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Assignee: DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, POLARIS VENTURE PARTNERS FOUNDERS' FUND II, L.P., POLARIS VENTURE PARTNERS II, L.P., ARCH ENTREPRENEURS FUND, L.P., ARCH VENTURE FUND IV, L.P., SECOND AVENUE PARTNERS, NEXTCOM VENTURE PARTNERS, L.P., GABLES LIMITED, ECP INTERFUND, L.P., ENERTECH CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P., TL VENTURES INTERFUND L.P., TL VENTURES V L.P., FREMONT COMMUNICATIONS I SIDE-BY-SIDE, L.P., FREMONT COMMUNICATIONS I, L.P.
  • Correspondent: SUSAN B. RAUCH, DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, PATENT DEPARTMENT, 2030 DOW CENTER, MIDLAND, MI 48674.
  • Context: Malibu Networks Inc. granted a broad security interest to a large consortium of investors and Dow Chemical Company.

• 2010-12-10 (executed) / recorded 2010-12-15 — Reel 025498/0197

  • Conveyance: Security Agreement
  • Assignor: ARCH ENTREPRENEURS FUND, L.P., ARCH VENTURE FUND IV, L.P., ECP INTERFUND, L.P., ENERTECH CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P., FREMONT COMMUNICATIONS I SIDE-BY-SIDE, L.P., FREMONT COMMUNICATIONS I, L.P., GABLES LIMITED, NEXTCOM VENTURE PARTNERS, L.P., POLARIS VENTURE PARTNERS FOUNDERS' FUND II, L.P., POLARIS VENTURE PARTNERS II, L.P., SECOND AVENUE PARTNERS, TL VENTURES INTERFUND L.P., TL VENTURES V L.P., UNION CARBIDE EMPLOYEES' PENSION PLAN
  • Assignee: STAC NETWORKS CORPORATION
  • Correspondent: DEBORAH A. JOHNSON, DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP, 50 SOUTH SIXTH ST, SUITE 1500, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402-1498. This correspondent appears on other tracked patents.
  • Context: A group of venture funds and pension plan granted a security interest to STAC Networks Corporation.

• 2010-12-10 (executed) / recorded 2010-12-15 — Reel 025498/0235

  • Conveyance: Release By Secured Party
  • Assignor: STAC NETWORKS CORPORATION
  • Assignee: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Correspondent: DEBORAH A. JOHNSON, DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP, 50 SOUTH SIXTH ST, SUITE 1500, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402-1498. This correspondent appears on other tracked patents.
  • Context: STAC Networks Corporation released a security interest to Malibu Networks Inc., likely part of a complex financial restructuring.

• 2010-12-10 (executed) / recorded 2010-12-15 — Reel 025498/0246

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignors Interest
  • Assignor: JORGENSEN, JACOB W.
  • Assignee: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Correspondent: DEBORAH A. JOHNSON, DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP, 50 SOUTH SIXTH ST, SUITE 1500, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402-1498. This correspondent appears on other tracked patents.
  • Context: Re-assignment from the inventor to Malibu Networks Inc., potentially to consolidate all interests before further transfers.

• 2010-12-10 (executed) / recorded 2010-12-15 — Reel 025498/0257

  • Conveyance: Security Agreement
  • Assignor: DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY
  • Assignee: UNION CARBIDE EMPLOYEES' PENSION PLAN
  • Correspondent: SUSAN B. RAUCH, DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, PATENT DEPARTMENT, 2030 DOW CENTER, MIDLAND, MI 48674.
  • Context: Dow Chemical Company granted a security interest to a pension plan, indicating the intricate financial arrangements involved.

• 2010-12-10 (executed) / recorded 2010-12-15 — Reel 025498/0270

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignors Interest
  • Assignor: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Assignee: VAN DREBBEL MARINER LLC
  • Correspondent: DEBORAH A. JOHNSON, DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP, 50 SOUTH SIXTH ST, SUITE 1500, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402-1498. This correspondent appears on other tracked patents.
  • Context: Direct assignment of the patent from Malibu Networks Inc. to Van Drebbel Mariner LLC. This is likely a key step in the liquidation of Malibu Networks Inc.'s assets.

• 2011-02-28 (executed) / recorded 2011-03-09 — Reel 026210/0677

  • Conveyance: Corrective Assignment
  • Assignor: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Assignee: FREMONT COMMUNICATIONS I SIDE-BY-SIDE, L.P., POLARIS VENTURE PARTNERS II, L.P., POLARIS VENTURE PARTNERS FOUNDERS' FUND II, L.P., ECP II INTERFUND, L.P., TL VENTURES INTERFUND L.P., ARCH VENTURE FUND IV, L.P., GABLES LIMITED, TL VENTURES V L.P., ENERTECH CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P., ARCH ENTREPRENEURS FUND, L.P., SECOND AVENUE PARTNERS, NEXTCOM VENTURE PARTNERS, L.P., FREMONT COMMUNICATIONS I, L.P., THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY
  • Correspondent: SUSAN B. RAUCH, DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, PATENT DEPARTMENT, 2030 DOW CENTER, MIDLAND, MI 48674.
  • Context: Corrective filing to amend assignee names from the security agreement recorded on 2010-12-15 (Reel 025498/0062).

• 2011-02-28 (executed) / recorded 2011-03-09 — Reel 026210/0695

  • Conveyance: Corrective Assignment
  • Assignor: ARCH ENTREPRENEURS FUND, L.P., ARCH VENTURE FUND IV, L.P., ECP II INTERFUND, L.P., ENERTECH CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P., FREMONT COMMUNICATIONS I SIDE-BY-SIDE, L.P., FREMONT COMMUNICATIONS I, L.P., GABLES LIMITED, NEXTCOM VENTURE PARTNERS, L.P., POLARIS VENTURE PARTNERS FOUNDERS' FUND II, L.P., POLARIS VENTURE PARTNERS II, L.P., SECOND AVENUE PARTNERS, TL VENTURES INTERFUND L.P., TL VENTURES V L.P., UNION CARBIDE EMPLOYEES' PENSION PLAN
  • Assignee: STAC NETWORKS CORPORATION
  • Correspondent: DEBORAH A. JOHNSON, DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP, 50 SOUTH SIXTH ST, SUITE 1500, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402-1498. This correspondent appears on other tracked patents.
  • Context: Corrective filing to amend assignor names from the security agreement recorded on 2010-12-15 (Reel 025498/0197).

• 2011-02-28 (executed) / recorded 2011-03-09 — Reel 026210/0712

  • Conveyance: Corrective Assignment
  • Assignor: BANKRUPTCY CREDITORS HOLDING CLAIMS
  • Assignee: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Correspondent: JOHN G. HEITMANN, FOLEY & LARDNER LLP, 975 PAGE MILL ROAD, PALO ALTO, CA 94304.
  • Context: Corrective filing related to the termination of creditors' claims following bankruptcy proceedings of Malibu Networks Inc.

• 2011-07-20 (executed) / recorded 2011-07-22 — Reel 026778/0116

  • Conveyance: Merger
  • Assignor: VAN DREBBEL MARINER LLC
  • Assignee: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES I LLC
  • Correspondent: MARINA R. ZIELINSKI, INTELLECTUAL VENTURES, 2121 FOURTH AVENUE, SUITE 1050, SEATTLE, WA 98121. This correspondent appears on other tracked patents.
  • Context: Van Drebbel Mariner LLC merged into Intellectual Ventures I LLC, transferring all its assets, including this patent.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 6640248
    1999 : Inventor assigned to Malibu Networks
    2000 : Malibu Networks granted security int
    2002 : Malibu Networks granted more security
    2002 : Inventor reassigned to Malibu
    2004 : Security interest terminated
    2004 : Stac Networks to Van Drebbel Mariner
    2010 : Malibu Networks granted security int
    2010 : VC funds granted security int to Stac
    2010 : Stac released security int to Malibu
    2010 : Inventor reassigned to Malibu
    2010 : Dow Chemical to Union Carbide Plan
    2010 : Malibu Networks to Van Drebbel
    2011 : Corrective assignment
    2011 : Corrective assignment
    2011 : Corrective assignment (bankruptcy)
    2011 : Van Drebbel merged to Intellectual Ventures

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer

   • Present: Van Drebbel Mariner LLC (Reel 015967/0345, 2004-09-16 recorded; Reel 025498/0270, 2010-12-15 recorded) appears to be a shell entity due to its name suggesting a non-operating purpose and its role as an intermediate holder before being absorbed by a known NPE. Intellectual Ventures I LLC (Reel 026778/0116, 2011-07-22 recorded) is a well-known patent assertion entity.

2. Known asserter in the chain

   • Present: Intellectual Ventures I LLC is the current assignee, having acquired the patent via merger on 2011-07-22 (Reel 026778/0116). Intellectual Ventures is widely recognized as a patent assertion entity (NPE).

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain

   • Present:
     • Michael D. Barnard (Malibu Networks, Inc.) appears on Reel 010834/0836 (2000-05-01) and Reel 012874/0959 (2002-03-26).
     • Deborah A. Johnson (Dorsey & Whitney LLP) appears as correspondent on multiple transactions for Malibu Networks Inc., and for the venture funds involving STAC Networks Corporation and Van Drebbel Mariner LLC, specifically on Reel 025498/0197, /0235, /0246, /0270 (all recorded 2010-12-15) and Reel 026210/0695 (2011-03-09). Her firm was heavily involved in the asset transfers.
     • Marina R. Zielinski (Intellectual Ventures) appears on Reel 026778/0116 (2011-07-22), representing Intellectual Ventures, an entity known to employ dedicated counsel for its patent management.

4. Cascading transfers

   • Present: A complex series of security agreements, releases, and assignments occurred in December 2010 (Reel 025498/0062, /0197, /0235, /0246, /0257, /0270), followed by several corrective assignments in March 2011 (Reel 026210/0677, /0695, /0712), and culminating in the merger into Intellectual Ventures I LLC in July 2011 (Reel 026778/0116). This intense activity within a 12-month period, involving multiple entities and complex financial instruments, strongly indicates a structured disposition of assets.

5. Pre-litigation transfer

   • Unclear: The merger into Intellectual Ventures I LLC was recorded on 2011-07-22 (Reel 026778/0116). The Google Patents page indicates that the first litigation involving this patent family was filed in the Delaware District Court on 2013-11-20 (e.g., case 1:13-cv-01655). This period of over two years between the transfer to IV and the first reported litigation means it does not meet the strict <6 months definition of a pre-litigation transfer. However, the acquisition by a known NPE prior to litigation is consistent with an assertion strategy.

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale

   • Present: A corrective assignment recorded on 2011-03-09 (Reel 026210/0712) explicitly lists "BANKRUPTCY CREDITORS HOLDING CLAIMS" as an assignor in a transaction related to the termination of creditors' claims. This is strong evidence that the patent was part of assets sold off during Malibu Networks Inc.'s bankruptcy proceedings.

7. Privateering

   • Unclear: While the patent is now owned by a known NPE, the assignment records and available public information do not explicitly state that Intellectual Ventures I LLC is asserting this patent on behalf of a specific operating company against its competitors. The context of a bankruptcy sale points more towards a general asset acquisition.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE)

   • Not present: The current assignee is Intellectual Ventures I LLC, which is a well-known patent assertion entity, not a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence

This verdict is supported by multiple strong signals. The patent transferred from the original operating company, Malibu Networks Inc., through what appears to be a bankruptcy fire-sale (Reel 026210/0712, recorded 2011-03-09), into Van Drebbel Mariner LLC, a likely shell entity (Reel 015967/0345, 2004-09-16 and Reel 025498/0270, 2010-12-15), which then merged into Intellectual Ventures I LLC, a known asserter (Reel 026778/0116, 2011-07-22). The chain also exhibits cascading transfers and a repeat correspondent (Deborah A. Johnson) involved in critical transfers leading to the NPE acquisition.

For verification, see the USPTO Assignment Center search results for patent US6640248: https://assignment.uspto.gov/patent/index.html