Assignment history

Inventors

The sole named inventor for US Patent 7412517 is Jacob W. Jorgensen.

His employer at the time of filing (August 10, 2006) is not explicitly stated in the patent text. However, Google Patents records an assignment from "JORGENSEN, JACOB W." to "MALIBU NETWORKS, INC." on November 10, 2006. The patent itself mentions the "Proactive Reservation-based Intelligent Multimedia-aware Media Access (PRIMMA) media access control (MAC) layer, available from Malibu Networks Inc., of Calabasas, Calif." [cite: The full patent text provided to the prompt] This strongly suggests Jacob W. Jorgensen was employed by Malibu Networks, Inc. at or around the time of filing. No unusual patterns of inventors departing the original assignee within 12 months of filing are noted, as Jorgensen assigned to Malibu Networks, Inc., which appears to be the operating entity associated with the original applicant.

Original assignee

The entity named on the issued patent as the original assignee is Van Drebbel Mariner LLC.

Malibu Networks, Inc. appears to be the operating company that developed the technology. Malibu Networks, Inc. was a US-based supplier of access control software to telecommunications providers. The patent describes technology, specifically the PRIMMA MAC layer, available from Malibu Networks Inc. [cite: The full patent text provided to the prompt]. This indicates that Malibu Networks, Inc. likely shipped products embodying the claims.

The primary line of business for Malibu Networks, Inc. was in wireless telecommunications systems, focusing on access control software for dynamic bandwidth allocation and Quality of Service (QoS) in point-to-multi-point systems.

The current status of Malibu Networks Inc. is "Acquired, Active". The status of Van Drebbel Mariner LLC is not directly determinable but it subsequently assigned the patent to Intellectual Ventures I LLC, suggesting it is no longer the patent holder and may no longer be active in an operating capacity.

Assignment timeline

Here is the chronological list of every recorded assignment and other relevant conveyances for US Patent 7412517:

• 2006-08-10: Patent application filed by Van Drebbel Mariner LLC (Original Assignee, as applicant).

• 2006-11-10 (executed) / recorded (date not specified, per Google Patents history)

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST
  • Assignor: JORGENSEN, JACOB W.
  • Assignee: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Correspondent: Not specified in Google Patents.
  • Context: Inventor assigned rights to Malibu Networks Inc., the operating company that developed the technology.

• 2006-11-10 (executed) / recorded (date not specified, per Google Patents history)

  • Conveyance: SECURED PARTY BILL OF SALE AND TRANSFER STATEMENT
  • Assignor: STAC NETWORKS CORPORATION C/O ARCH VENTURE PARTNERS
  • Assignee: VAN DREBBEL MARINER LLC
  • Correspondent: Not specified in Google Patents.
  • Context: Transfer of interest to Van Drebbel Mariner LLC, an IP holding entity.

• 2008-08-12: Patent issued to Van Drebbel Mariner LLC.

• 2010-12-15 (executed) / recorded 2011-03-08 — Reel 025498/0052

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY)
  • Assignor: JORGENSEN, JACOB W.
  • Assignee: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Correspondent: DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPT., P.O. BOX 1967, MIDLAND, MI 48641-1967. This correspondent recurs on records 025498/0058, 025498/0056, 025498/0054, 025498/0062, 025498/0197, 025498/0235.
  • Context: Inventor granted a release/assignment relating to Malibu Networks Inc., likely clarifying or releasing a security interest.

• 2010-12-15 (executed) / recorded 2011-03-08 — Reel 025498/0058

  • 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: DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPT., P.O. BOX 1967, MIDLAND, MI 48641-1967. This correspondent recurs.
  • Context: Malibu Networks Inc. granted a security interest in its assets, including patents, to multiple investment funds and Dow Chemical, reflecting financial or restructuring activities.

• 2010-12-15 (executed) / recorded 2011-03-08 — Reel 025498/0056

  • Conveyance: SECURITY AGREEMENT
  • Assignor: DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY
  • Assignee: UNION CARBIDE EMPLOYEES' PENSION PLAN
  • Correspondent: DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPT., P.O. BOX 1967, MIDLAND, MI 48641-1967. This correspondent recurs.
  • Context: Dow Chemical granted a security interest to Union Carbide Employees' Pension Plan.

• 2010-12-15 (executed) / recorded 2011-03-08 — Reel 025498/0054

  • Conveyance: SECURITY AGREEMENT
  • Assignor: STAC NETWORKS CORPORATION C/O ARCH VENTURE PARTNERS
  • Assignee: 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
  • Correspondent: DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPT., P.O. BOX 1967, MIDLAND, MI 48641-1967. This correspondent recurs.
  • Context: STAC Networks Corporation (associated with Arch Venture Partners) granted a security interest to multiple investment funds and Union Carbide.

• 2010-12-15 (executed) / recorded 2011-07-29 — Reel 027008/0744

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Assignee: VAN DREBBEL MARINER LLC
  • Correspondent: JOHN S. RADOV, 1317 4TH ST, STE 100, SANTA MONICA, CA 90401. This correspondent recurs on record 027008/0748.
  • Context: Malibu Networks Inc. assigned patent ownership to Van Drebbel Mariner LLC, likely an internal transfer to an IP holding company in preparation for a sale.

• 2011-02-28 (executed) / recorded 2011-03-08 — Reel 025498/0062

  • Conveyance: SECURITY AGREEMENT (CORRECTIVE)
  • Assignor: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Assignee: SECOND AVENUE PARTNERS, ECP II INTERFUND, L.P., TL VENTURES INTERFUND L.P., ENERTECH CAPITAL PARTNERS II, L.P., POLARIS VENTURE PARTNERS FOUNDERS' FUND II, L.P., FREMONT COMMUNICATIONS I SIDE-BY-SIDE, L.P., TL VENTURES V L.P., THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, ARCH VENTURE FUND IV, L.P., ARCH ENTREPRENEURS FUND, L.P., POLARIS VENTURE PARTNERS II, L.P., NEXTCOM VENTURE PARTNERS, L.P., FREMONT COMMUNICATIONS I, L.P., GABLES LIMITED
  • Correspondent: DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPT., P.O. BOX 1967, MIDLAND, MI 48641-1967. This correspondent recurs.
  • Context: Corrective security agreement from Malibu Networks to a consortium of investment funds and Dow Chemical.

• 2011-02-28 (executed) / recorded 2011-03-08 — Reel 025498/0197

  • Conveyance: SECURITY AGREEMENT (CORRECTIVE)
  • 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: DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPT., P.O. BOX 1967, MIDLAND, MI 48641-1967. This correspondent recurs.
  • Context: Corrective security agreement from various funds to STAC Networks Corporation.

• 2011-02-28 (executed) / recorded 2011-03-08 — Reel 025498/0235

  • Conveyance: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (CORRECTIVE)
  • Assignor: BANKRUPTCY CREDITORS HOLDING CLAIMS
  • Assignee: MALIBU NETWORKS, INC.
  • Correspondent: DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPT., P.O. BOX 1967, MIDLAND, MI 48641-1967. This correspondent recurs.
  • Context: Release of claims against Malibu Networks Inc. by bankruptcy creditors, confirming Malibu Networks' financial distress.

• 2011-07-22 (executed) / recorded 2011-07-29 — Reel 027008/0748

  • Conveyance: ASSIGNMENT
  • Assignor: VAN DREBBEL MARINER LLC
  • Assignee: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES I LLC
  • Correspondent: JOHN S. RADOV, 1317 4TH ST, STE 100, SANTA MONICA, CA 90401. This correspondent recurs.
  • Context: Transfer of patent ownership from Van Drebbel Mariner LLC to Intellectual Ventures I LLC.

Timeline diagram

timeline
    title Ownership of US 7412517
    2006 : Patent filed by Van Drebbel Mariner LLC
         : Inventor to Malibu Networks Inc
    2008 : Patent issued to Van Drebbel Mariner LLC
    2010 : Malibu Networks Inc security interests
         : Malibu Networks Inc to Van Drebbel Mariner LLC
    2011 : Malibu Networks Inc bankruptcy/correctives
         : Van Drebbel Mariner LLC to Intellectual Ventures I LLC

NPE / troll-pattern signals

1. Shell-entity transfer

   • Present: Van Drebbel Mariner LLC appears to function as an IP holding company that acquired the patent from the operating entity (Malibu Networks Inc.) and then transferred it to a known NPE. The name itself is non-descriptive of a technology product company. Intellectual Ventures I LLC is also a known shell entity for patent assertion.
   • Evidence: Reel 027008/0744 (Malibu Networks Inc. to Van Drebbel Mariner LLC, executed 2010-12-15), Reel 027008/0748 (Van Drebbel Mariner LLC to Intellectual Ventures I LLC, executed 2011-07-22).

2. Known asserter in the chain

   • Present: Intellectual Ventures I LLC is a well-known Non-Practicing Entity (NPE) and a high-frequency plaintiff.
   • Evidence: Reel 027008/0748 (Van Drebbel Mariner LLC to Intellectual Ventures I LLC, executed 2011-07-22, recorded 2011-07-29).

3. Repeat correspondent across the chain

   • Present:
     • DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPT. (P.O. BOX 1967, MIDLAND, MI 48641-1967) appears as correspondent for multiple security agreements and corrective filings: Reel 025498/0052, 025498/0058, 025498/0056, 025498/0054, 025498/0062, 025498/0197, 025498/0235. This indicates a consistent legal representative for the financial restructuring of Malibu Networks Inc.
     • JOHN S. RADOV (1317 4TH ST, STE 100, SANTA MONICA, CA 90401) appears as correspondent for the two critical assignments of ownership: Reel 027008/0744 (Malibu Networks Inc. to Van Drebbel Mariner LLC) and Reel 027008/0748 (Van Drebbel Mariner LLC to Intellectual Ventures I LLC). His consistent appearance on these transfers, particularly the final one to Intellectual Ventures, is a strong signal.
   • Evidence: Cited Reel/Frame numbers above.

4. Cascading transfers

   • Present: The patent was assigned from Malibu Networks Inc. to Van Drebbel Mariner LLC (executed 2010-12-15) and then from Van Drebbel Mariner LLC to Intellectual Ventures I LLC (executed 2011-07-22). These two ownership transfers occurred within approximately 7 months, which fits the pattern of multiple consecutive assignments in under 24 months, especially given they culminated in a transfer to a known NPE and shared a correspondent attorney for recording.
   • Evidence: Reel 027008/0744 (executed 2010-12-15) and Reel 027008/0748 (executed 2011-07-22).

5. Pre-litigation transfer

   • Unclear: The assignment to Intellectual Ventures I LLC occurred in July 2011 (Reel 027008/0748). The first noted litigation (Texas Eastern District Court case) was filed in 2017 [cite: The full patent text provided to the prompt], and the PTAB IPR was filed in 2018 [cite: The full patent text provided to the prompt]. This gap of several years means it's not a pre-litigation transfer in the immediate sense of being within 6 months of a suit. However, Intellectual Ventures' business model is patent assertion, so the acquisition itself is inherently for future assertion.

6. Bankruptcy fire-sale

   • Present: The presence of a "RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY (CORRECTIVE)" from "BANKRUPTCY CREDITORS HOLDING CLAIMS" (Reel 025498/0235, executed 2011-02-28) is strong evidence that Malibu Networks Inc., the operating company, underwent financial distress or bankruptcy proceedings, leading to the sale or transfer of its assets, including this patent. The multiple security agreements granted by Malibu Networks Inc. to various investment funds and Dow Chemical also support this.
   • Evidence: Reel 025498/0235 (executed 2011-02-28, recorded 2011-03-08) and Reel 025498/0058 (executed 2010-12-15, recorded 2011-03-08).

7. Privateering

   • Unclear: While Dow Chemical Co. is listed as a current assignee on Google Patents and was involved in security agreements with Malibu Networks Inc. (Reel 025498/0058), there is no explicit evidence from the provided records (e.g., SEC filings) to confirm that Dow Chemical transferred the patent to Intellectual Ventures to assert against its competitors on its behalf. Dow's involvement appears to be as a secured party during Malibu Networks' financial restructuring.

8. Defensive aggregator (anti-NPE)

   • Not present: The chain terminates with Intellectual Ventures I LLC, which is an NPE, not a defensive aggregator.

Verdict

NPE — high confidence

The patent exhibits multiple strong signals for NPE activity, including the transfer to Intellectual Ventures I LLC, a known NPE (Reel 027008/0748). This transfer was part of cascading transfers following the bankruptcy or financial distress of the original operating company, Malibu Networks Inc. (evidenced by Reel 025498/0235 and 027008/0744). The same correspondent attorney, John S. Radov, handled the final two transfers of ownership that led to Intellectual Ventures, further strengthening the NPE pattern.

For verification, you can search US Patent 7412517 on the USPTO Patent Assignment Search: https://assignmentcenter.uspto.gov/