Assignment history

Inventors

• Barry Alan HOBERMAN
• Daniel L. Hillman
• Jon Shiell

Employer at the time of filing: Mosaid Technologies Corp.

Original assignee

Mosaid Technologies Corp. Their primary line of business was intellectual property licensing and development, particularly in the semiconductor and communications industries. Mosaid Technologies Corp. underwent several name changes and reorganizations, eventually becoming Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc., and then reverting to Mosaid Technologies Incorporated. It primarily focused on patent assertion and licensing.

Assignment timeline

• 2004-11-09 (executed) / recorded 2004-11-09 — Reel 012586/0151

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignors Interest
  • Assignor: SHIELL, JON, HOBERMAN, BARRY ALAN, HILLMAN, DANIEL L.
  • Assignee: VIRTUAL SILICON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
  • Correspondent: BARRY C. KESTENBAUM, ATER WYNNE LLP, 222 SW COLUMBIA ST., STE 1800, PORTLAND, OR, 97201
  • Context: Transfer from inventors to Virtual Silicon Technology, Inc.

• 2005-12-07 (executed) / recorded 2005-12-16 — Reel 017122/0769

  • Conveyance: Merger
  • Assignor: VIRTUAL SILICON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
  • Assignee: MOSAID DELAWARE, INC.
  • Correspondent: LINDY C. JOHNSON, MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INC., 11350 RANDOM HILLS ROAD, SUITE 800, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030
  • Context: Merger of Virtual Silicon Technology, Inc. into Mosaid Delaware, Inc.

• 2006-01-19 (executed) / recorded 2006-01-27 — Reel 017255/0795

  • Conveyance: Change of Name
  • Assignor: MOSAID DELAWARE, INC.
  • Assignee: MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
  • Correspondent: LINDY C. JOHNSON, MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INC., 11350 RANDOM HILLS ROAD, SUITE 800, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Change of name from Mosaid Delaware, Inc. to Mosaid Technologies Corporation.

• 2011-01-05 (executed) / recorded 2011-01-05 — Reel 025827/0246

  • Conveyance: Change of Address
  • Assignor: MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
  • Assignee: MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
  • Correspondent: NICOLE K. PARIZO, MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED, 11350 RANDOM HILLS RD., SUITE 800, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030
  • Context: Change of address for Mosaid Technologies Incorporated.

• 2011-01-05 (executed) / recorded 2011-01-05 — Reel 025827/0248

  • Conveyance: Assignment of Assignors Interest
  • Assignor: MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
  • Assignee: MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
  • Correspondent: NICOLE K. PARIZO, MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED, 11350 RANDOM HILLS RD., SUITE 800, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Transfer from Mosaid Technologies Corporation to Mosaid Technologies Incorporated.

• 2012-01-10 (executed) / recorded 2012-01-10 — Reel 027582/0157

  • Conveyance: US INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT (FOR NON-U.S. GRANTORS) - SHORT FORM
  • Assignor: 658276 N.B. LTD., 658868 N.B. INC., MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
  • Assignee: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
  • Correspondent: MATTHEW P. KADUC, CADWALADER, WICKERSHAM & TAFT LLP, 200 LIBERTY STREET, NEW YORK, NY, 10281
  • Context: Securitization agreement with Royal Bank of Canada.

• 2014-03-13 (executed) / recorded 2014-03-14 — Reel 031448/0263

  • Conveyance: Change of Name
  • Assignor: MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
  • Assignee: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
  • Correspondent: KEVIN P. ANDERSON, CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC., 11350 RANDOM HILLS RD., SUITE 800, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030
  • Context: Change of name from Mosaid Technologies Incorporated to Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc.

• 2014-08-07 (executed) / recorded 2014-08-11 — Reel 032252/0173

  • Conveyance: RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST
  • Assignor: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
  • Assignee: CONVERSANT IP N.B. 868 INC., CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC., CONVERSANT IP N.B. 276 INC.
  • Correspondent: MATTHEW P. KADUC, CADWALADER, WICKERSHAM & TAFT LLP, 200 LIBERTY STREET, NEW YORK, NY, 10281. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Release of security interest by Royal Bank of Canada.

• 2014-09-03 (executed) / recorded 2014-09-03 — Reel 032338/0342

  • Conveyance: Change of Address
  • Assignor: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
  • Assignee: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
  • Correspondent: KEVIN P. ANDERSON, CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC., 100 QUEEN STREET, 4TH FLOOR, OTTAWA, ON, K1P 1J9, CANADA
  • Context: Change of address for Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc.

• 2014-09-09 (executed) / recorded 2014-09-09 — Reel 032386/0925

  • Conveyance: U.S. PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (FOR NON-U.S. GRANTORS)
  • Assignor: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
  • Assignee: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS LENDER, CPPIB CREDIT INVESTMENTS INC., AS LENDER
  • Correspondent: KEVIN C. MAHONEY, SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP, FOUR TIMES SQUARE, NEW YORK, NY, 10036
  • Context: New securitization agreement with Royal Bank of Canada and CPPIB Credit Investments Inc.

• 2018-08-22 (executed) / recorded 2018-08-27 — Reel 041300/0172

  • Conveyance: AMENDED AND RESTATED U.S. PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (FOR NON-U.S. GRANTORS)
  • Assignor: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
  • Assignee: CPPIB CREDIT INVESTMENTS, INC.
  • Correspondent: KEVIN C. MAHONEY, SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP, FOUR TIMES SQUARE, NEW YORK, NY, 10036. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Amended and restated security agreement with CPPIB Credit Investments, Inc.

• 2018-10-12 (executed) / recorded 2018-10-15 — Reel 041530/0308

  • Conveyance: RELEASE OF U.S. PATENT AGREEMENT (FOR NON-U.S. GRANTORS)
  • Assignor: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA, AS LENDER
  • Assignee: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
  • Correspondent: KEVIN C. MAHONEY, SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP, FOUR TIMES SQUARE, NEW YORK, NY, 10036. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Release of security interest by Royal Bank of Canada.

• 2020-11-02 (executed) / recorded 2020-11-05 — Reel 046467/0724

  • Conveyance: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY
  • Assignor: CPPIB CREDIT INVESTMENTS INC.
  • Assignee: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
  • Correspondent: KEVIN C. MAHONEY, SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP, FOUR TIMES SQUARE, NEW YORK, NY, 10036. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Release of security interest by CPPIB Credit Investments Inc.

• 2021-06-16 (executed) / recorded 2021-06-16 — Reel 047701/0173

  • Conveyance: Change of Name
  • Assignor: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INC.
  • Assignee: MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
  • Correspondent: KEVIN P. ANDERSON, MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED, 100 QUEEN STREET, 4TH FLOOR, OTTAWA, ON, K1P 1J9, CANADA. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Change of name from Conversant Intellectual Property Inc. to Mosaid Technologies Incorporated.

• 2023-08-30 (executed) / recorded 2023-08-30 — Reel 056602/0253

  • Conveyance: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE CONVEYING PARTY'S NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 056602 FRAME: 0253. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME.
  • Assignor: CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC.
  • Assignee: MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
  • Correspondent: KEVIN P. ANDERSON, MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED, 100 QUEEN STREET, 4TH FLOOR, OTTAWA, ON, K1P 1J9, CANADA. This correspondent recurs in this chain.
  • Context: Corrective assignment related to previous name change, confirming transfer to Mosaid Technologies Incorporated.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 7051306
    2004 : Inventors to Virtual Silicon
    2005 : Virtual Silicon merged to Mosaid Delaware
    2006 : Mosaid Delaware name change to Mosaid Corp
    2011 : Mosaid Corp to Mosaid Inc
         : Mosaid Inc security agreement with RBC
    2014 : Mosaid Inc name change to Conversant IP
         : RBC security interest released
         : Conversant IP security agreement with RBC/CPPIB
    2018 : CPPIB security agreement amended
         : RBC security interest released
    2020 : CPPIB security interest released
    2021 : Conversant IP name change to Mosaid Inc
    2023 : Corrective assignment to Mosaid Inc

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer — present.

   • Reel 017122/0769, recorded 2005-12-16: Virtual Silicon Technology, Inc. merged into Mosaid Delaware, Inc. Mosaid, and its subsequent iterations (Conversant), are widely recognized as patent assertion entities.
   • Reel 031448/0263, recorded 2014-03-14: Mosaid Technologies Incorporated changed its name to Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc. This name clearly indicates a focus on intellectual property management, not product sales.
   • Reel 047701/0173, recorded 2021-06-16: Conversant Intellectual Property Inc. changed its name to Mosaid Technologies Incorporated, a known NPE.

2. Known asserter in the chain — present.

   • Mosaid Technologies Corp., Mosaid Technologies Incorporated, and Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc. are all known patent assertion entities (NPEs) or companies that have primarily engaged in patent licensing and enforcement.
   • The Google Patents page itself lists "Mosaid Technologies Inc" as the Current Assignee and has "Family has litigation" with numerous district court and PTAB cases associated with the patent family, supporting its classification as an asserter.

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain — present.

   • LINDY C. JOHNSON (MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INC.) appears on Reel 017122/0769 (2005-12-16) and Reel 017255/0795 (2006-01-27).
   • NICOLE K. PARIZO (MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED) appears on Reel 025827/0246 (2011-01-05) and Reel 025827/0248 (2011-01-05).
   • MATTHEW P. KADUC (CADWALADER, WICKERSHAM & TAFT LLP) appears on Reel 027582/0157 (2012-01-10) and Reel 032252/0173 (2014-08-11).
   • KEVIN P. ANDERSON (CONVERSANT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT INC. / MOSAID TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED) appears on Reel 031448/0263 (2014-03-14), Reel 032338/0342 (2014-09-03), Reel 047701/0173 (2021-06-16), and Reel 056602/0253 (2023-08-30).
   • KEVIN C. MAHONEY (SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP) appears on Reel 032386/0925 (2014-09-09), Reel 041300/0172 (2018-08-27), and Reel 041530/0308 (2018-10-15), and Reel 046467/0724 (2020-11-05).

4. Cascading transfers — not present. While there are multiple transfers and name changes, they are spread out over several years and do not show rapid, consecutive transfers within a short timeframe between distinct (non-merged/renamed) shell entities.

5. Pre-litigation transfer — unclear. The provided information states that the patent family has litigation, but specific dates of initial lawsuits relative to assignment dates are not precisely detailed in the provided Google Patents data or the USPTO assignment records.

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale — not present. No indication of bankruptcy proceedings for the original assignee.

7. Privateering — unclear. While Mosaid/Conversant are known NPEs, direct evidence of a specific operating company transferring this patent to them for assertion against competitors (i.e., privateering) is not explicitly detailed in the provided records.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE) — not present. The chain ends with Mosaid Technologies Incorporated, a known NPE, not a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence

The assignment chain clearly indicates a strong NPE pattern. Mosaid Technologies Corp. and its subsequent name changes (Mosaid Technologies Incorporated, Conversant Intellectual Property Management Inc.) are well-known patent assertion entities, as indicated by both the current assignee listed on Google Patents and the history of litigation associated with the patent family. The recurring correspondents across multiple transfers and name changes also strongly suggest a coordinated and consistent strategy for managing an assertion-focused portfolio.

USPTO Assignment Center search: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/