`
`
`
`IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
`FOR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
`WACO DIVISION
`
`
`Quartz Auto Technologies LLC
`
`
`Plaintiff,
`
`
`v.
`
`
`Uber Technologies, Inc.
`
`
`Defendant.
`
`
`
`Civil Action No. 6:20-cv-00126
`
`The Honorable ________________________
`
`COMPLAINT FOR PATENT
`INFRINGEMENT
`
`JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
`
`
`COMPLAINT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT AND DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
`
`TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT:
`
`
`
`Plaintiff Quartz Auto Technologies LLC (“Quartz Auto”), files this Complaint for Patent
`
`Infringement and Damages against Defendant Uber Technologies, Inc. (“Uber” or “Defendant”),
`
`and would respectfully show the Court as follows:
`
`PARTIES
`
`1.
`
`Plaintiff Quartz Auto is a Delaware limited liability company with its principal
`
`place of business located at 301 S. Fremont Ave, Baltimore, MD 21230.
`
`2.
`
`On information and belief, Defendant Uber is a Delaware corporation with its
`
`principal place of business located at 1455 Market Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94103.
`
`Uber is registered to conduct business in Texas, and may be served through its registered agent,
`
`CT Corporation System, 1999 Bryan Street, Suite 900, Dallas, Texas 75201-3136.
`
`JURISDICTION AND VENUE
`
`3.
`
`This is a civil action for patent infringement arising under the Patent Laws of the
`
`United States as set forth in 35 U.S.C. §§ 271, et seq.
`
`
`
`1
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 2 of 104
`
`4.
`
`This Court has federal subject matter jurisdiction over this action pursuant to 28
`
`U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1338(a) and pendant jurisdiction over the other claims for relief asserted
`
`herein.
`
`5.
`
`This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant pursuant to TEX. CIV. PRAC. &
`
`REM. CODE § 17.041 et seq. Personal jurisdiction exists over Defendant because Defendant has
`
`minimum contacts with this forum as a result of business regularly conducted within the State of
`
`Texas and within this district, and, on information and belief, specifically as a result of, at least,
`
`committing the tort of patent infringement within Texas and this district. Personal jurisdiction also
`
`exists because, on information and belief, Defendant has: (1) operated the Internet website,
`
`https://www.uber.com/, and provided a mobile application (the “Uber app”), which is available to
`
`and accessed by ridesharing users, customers, and potential customers of the Defendant, both
`
`riders and drivers, within this judicial district; (2) operated within the judicial district, with
`
`ridesharing offered to users, customers, and potential customers of Defendant in locations
`
`including Austin, El Paso, San Antonio, and Waco; (3) actively advertised to residents within the
`
`District to hire more drivers; (4) transacted business within the State of Texas; (5) actively
`
`infringed and/or induced infringement of Plaintiff’s patents in Texas; (6) established regular and
`
`systematic business contacts within the State of Texas; and (7) continue to conduct such business
`
`in Texas through the continued operation within the district. Accordingly, this Court’s jurisdiction
`
`over the Defendant comports with the constitutional standards of fair play and substantial justice
`
`and arises directly from the Defendant’s purposeful minimum contacts with the State of Texas.
`
`6.
`
`This Court also has personal jurisdiction over Defendant, because in addition to
`
`Defendant’s own online website and advertising with this judicial district, Defendant has also made
`
`its ridesharing services available specifically within this judicial district via the following means:
`
`
`
`2
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 3 of 104
`
`a. Defendant offers ridesharing within the judicial district, in locations
`
`including
`
`- Austin (https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/austin/),
`
`- El Paso (https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/el-paso/),
`
`- San Antonio (https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/san-antonio/), and
`
`- Waco (https://www.uber.com/global/en/cities/waco/).
`
`b. Defendant actively advertises to district residents to hire more drivers
`
`within the district (for example, Austin: https://www.uber.com/drive/austin/where-to-
`
`drive/) and provides both nationwide and local perquisites to drivers (for example,
`
`Austin: https://www.uber.com/drive/austin/perks/).
`
`c. Defendant actively promotes working for Uber to all, including district
`
`residents, who have downloaded the Uber ride/passenger application, as “Drive with
`
`Uber” is listed in the application drop down menu.
`
`Uber Passenger Application Screenshots February 12, 2020
`
`
`
`
`
`
`3
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 4 of 104
`
`d. Defendant provides in-person support via “Uber Greenlight Hubs” within
`
`the Western District of Texas located in both Austin (507 Calles St. #120, Austin, TX
`
`78702) and San Antonio (121 Interperk Blvd #501, San Antonio, TX 78216). These
`
`“Hubs” provide in-person Uber driver support.
`
`e. Defendant has an office location in Austin (291 East 3rd St., Austin, TX
`
`78701) with upwards of 90 employees, serving as a “Premier Hub” that supervises the
`
`regional operations for the states of TX, OK, LA, CO, UT, MO, and KS.
`
`7.
`
`Defendant is subject to this Court’s specific and general personal jurisdiction
`
`pursuant to due process and/or the Texas Long Arm Statute, due at least to Defendant’s substantial
`
`business in this forum, including: (i) at least a portion of the infringements alleged herein; and/or
`
`(ii) regularly doing or soliciting business, engaging in other persistent courses of conduct, and/or
`
`deriving substantial revenue from goods and services provided to individuals in Texas and in this
`
`district.
`
`8.
`
`Venue is proper in this Court under 28 U.S.C. §§ 1391(b) and (c) and 28 U.S.C.
`
`§ 1400(b) based on the information and belief that the Defendant has committed or induced acts
`
`of infringement, and/or advertise, market, sell, and/or offer to sell products, including infringing
`
`products, in this judicial district. In addition, Defendant maintains numerous regular and
`
`established places of business in this district by providing its ridesharing service in, for example,
`
`Waco, Texas. In addition, Defendant maintains regular and established places of business in this
`
`district, as discussed in ¶6(d) and ¶6(e).
`
`THE PATENTS-IN-SUIT
`
`9.
`
`On September 3, 2002, United States Patent No. 6,446,004 (“the ‘004 patent”),
`
`entitled “System and Method for Implementing Proximity or Location Driven Activities” was duly
`
`
`
`4
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 5 of 104
`
`and legally issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) to Kevin Tung
`
`Cao, Daniel Alexander Ford, and Reiner Kraft, with the International Business Machines
`
`Corporation (“IBM”) as assignee. A copy of the ‘004 patent is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
`
`10.
`
`On October 19, 2004, United States Patent No. 6,807,464 (“the ‘464 patent”),
`
`entitled “Systems and Methods for Distributing Information to an Operator of a Vehicle” was duly
`
`and legally issued by the USPTO to Philip Shi-lung Yu, David P. Greene, Edith H. Stern, and Barry
`
`E. Willner, with IBM as assignee. A copy of the ‘464 patent is attached hereto as Exhibit B.
`
`11.
`
`On May 6, 2008, United States Patent No. 7,370,085 (“the ‘085 patent”), entitled
`
`“Method, System, and Program for Providing User Location Information with a Personal
`
`Information Management Program” was duly and legally issued by the USPTO to Michael Wayne
`
`Brown, Rabindranath Dutta, and Michael A. Paolini, with IBM as assignee. A copy of the ‘085
`
`patent is attached hereto as Exhibit C.
`
`12.
`
`On June 7, 2011, United States Patent No. 7,958,215 (“the ‘215 patent”), entitled
`
`“System Management Using Real Time Collaboration” was duly and legally issued by the USPTO
`
`to David Gerard Herbeck and Susette Marie Townsend, with IBM as assignee. A copy of the ‘215
`
`patent is attached hereto as Exhibit D.
`
`13.
`
`On October 4, 2016, United States Patent No. 9,460,616 (“the ‘616 patent”),
`
`entitled “Management of Mobile Objects and Service Platform for Mobile Objects” was duly and
`
`legally issued by the USPTO to Tomohiro Miyahira and Gaku Yamamoto, with IBM as assignee.
`
`A copy of the ‘616 patent is attached hereto as Exhibit E.
`
`14.
`
`On June 27, 2017, United States Patent No. 9,691,275 (“the ‘275 patent”), entitled
`
`“Adjusting Vehicle Timing in a Transportation Network” was duly and legally issued by the
`
`USPTO to Tobias Ephraim Dannat, Andreas Kuechmichel, Tim Scheideler, Matthias Seul, and
`
`
`
`5
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 6 of 104
`
`Thomas Allen Snellgrove, with IBM as assignee. A copy of the ‘275 patent is attached hereto as
`
`Exhibit F.
`
`15.
`
`The ‘004, ‘464, ‘085, ‘215, ‘616, and ‘275 patents are referred to hereinafter as the
`
`“Quartz Auto Patents.”
`
`16.
`
`Plaintiff Quartz Auto Technologies LLC is the owner of the entire right, title, and
`
`interest in and to the Quartz Auto Patents. The Quartz Auto Patents were originally owned by IBM
`
`and, through predecessors in interest that were duly recorded in the U.S. Patent Office, were
`
`ultimately assigned to Quartz Auto on or about February 13, 2020 and February 14, 2020, and
`
`recorded in the Patent Office, with all rights, titles, and interests in and to the patents assigned to
`
`Quartz Auto. Each of the Quartz Auto Patents are presumed valid under 35 U.S.C. § 282.
`
`United States Patent No. 6,446,004
`
`17.
`
` The ‘004 patent claims a system and associated method for implementing a
`
`proximity driven activity. In one embodiment, the system and an associated method of the ‘004
`
`patent allow requests to be executed at some point in the future without specifying the exact time
`
`or necessarily a precise location. The execution time of the request is linked to the arrival of a
`
`person at, or near, a geographic location or destination. When a person arrives at that location, or
`
`comes within a proximity threshold distance of that location, the request to interact will be
`
`executed. The proximity threshold “can be adjustable and programmable” (col. 2, lines 6-7). A
`
`“mobile computing device” may be, for example, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant,
`
`and preferably possesses a wireless means of communication. In the present complaint,
`
`Defendant’s ride-hailing system and method infringe on these inventive aspects of the ‘004 patent
`
`by, for example, using both passenger and driver applications that input, collect, and transmit such
`
`proximity driven activity between the passenger and the driver, and vice versa. Here, the Uber
`
`
`
`6
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 7 of 104
`
`applications, installed and used on mobile computing devices (most often wireless mobile phones),
`
`collect a passenger’s current location and inputted destination and executes software code to
`
`determine which driver is within the proximity threshold to complete the passenger’s request. The
`
`passenger’s current location and inputted destination is then transmitted through the Uber
`
`application to the driver’s mobile device.
`
`18.
`
`The ‘004 patent overcomes shortcomings in the prior art, which were ineffective at
`
`integrating location positioning (col. 1, lines 36-40) into functional applications in the areas of
`
`GPS and mobile computing. Certain of the inventive aspects of the ‘004 patent addressed the need
`
`for improvements in the area of location dependent data processing, by developing software for
`
`use with a mobile computing device combined with a global positioning system locator (col. 1,
`
`lines 16-24). More specifically, the inventive aspects of executing an activity linked to the arrival
`
`of a person at or near a geographic location or destination, which is dependent on a mobile
`
`computing device and the calculated current location and destination of the mobile device (col. 1,
`
`lines 61-67), were not well-understood, routine, or conventional at the time of the invention.
`
`United States Patent No. 6,807,464
`
`19.
`
`In one embodiment, the ‘464 patent claims a method and associated system of
`
`distributing vehicle control information by determining at a controller location the vehicle control
`
`information associated with the location of the vehicle and vehicle operator, and then arranging
`
`the information to provide an indication to the vehicle operator. Such “vehicle control
`
`information” may refer to any information that can be used by an operator with respect to a vehicle,
`
`and may be provided to the operator, for example, via text information, image information, audio
`
`information, dashboard information, and/or HUD information. In the present complaint,
`
`Defendant’s ride-hailing system and method infringe on these inventive aspects of the ‘464 patent
`
`
`
`7
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 8 of 104
`
`by, for example, using both passenger and driver applications that communicate such vehicle
`
`control information between the passenger and the driver, and vice versa. In this embodiment, the
`
`Ride (passenger) application serves as the controller, while the Drive (driver) application serves
`
`as the operator, and the requisite information is provided by text, image, and audio, as needed.
`
`20.
`
`The ‘464 patent overcomes shortcomings in the prior art, which required
`
`information be presented through traditional signage and traffic signals placed along roads (col. 1,
`
`lines 20-21). The prior art is not an effective means to disseminate all kinds of information (col. 1,
`
`lines 39-46). Certain of the inventive aspects of the ‘464 patent addressed the need for
`
`improvements in the area of distributing information to the operator of a vehicle, by better
`
`facilitating the dissemination of information via a vehicle device (col. 2, lines 1-5). More
`
`specifically, the inventive aspects of collecting vehicle control information and distributing the
`
`information to the individual vehicle device for a plurality of vehicles (col. 13, lines 55-67), were
`
`not well-understood, routine, or conventional at the time of the invention.
`
`United States Patent No. 7,370,085
`
`21.
`
`The ‘085 patent claims a method for providing user location information for a
`
`personal information management (PIM) program by generating position coordinates of a wireless
`
`device with related time information. Additionally, the ‘085 patent claims another method for
`
`generating a calendar for a PIM program by receiving a time interval and determining position
`
`coordinates of a wireless device in order to display a user’s activity with the corresponding time.
`
`In one embodiment, the ‘085 patent then determines whether a rate of change in distance between
`
`position coordinates at designated times indicates user’s activity during the activity time period,
`
`and then generates information on the predefined activity. A PIM client gathers and presents PIM
`
`information, such as calendaring and scheduling information, in accordance with the described
`
`
`
`8
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 9 of 104
`
`implementations. A PIM refers to a program designed to allow users to organize random bits of
`
`information in a useful format (col. 4, lines 27-33). In the present complaint, Defendant’s ride-
`
`hailing system and method infringe on these inventive aspects of the ‘085 patent. For example,
`
`Defendant’s use of geographical reference data to depict various drivers in the vicinity of a
`
`potential passenger on its Uber application fits one definition of gathering and presenting
`
`information on a PIM.
`
`22.
`
`The ‘085 patent overcomes shortcoming in the prior art, which provided users of
`
`wireless computing (such as personal information managers) or handheld computers (such as
`
`cellular phones) significantly limited versions of programs and functions normally available on
`
`desktop computers (col. 1, lines 56-61). Certain of the inventive aspects of the ‘085 patent
`
`addressed the need for an application that could more fully exploit wireless computing technology
`
`and extend the utility beyond that of a portable telephone and limited personal information
`
`manager (col. 2, lines 5-10). These aspects were not well-understood, routine, or conventional at
`
`the time of the invention.
`
`United States Patent No. 7,958,215
`
`23.
`
` The ‘215 patent claims a number of variations of computer-implemented
`
`embodiments for responding to a condition/alert (for example, needing a ride) and managing an
`
`information technology device.
`
`a. Claim 1 of the ‘215 patent claims a method for responding to a problem
`
`condition, which automatically detects the availability of the first candidate to respond
`
`to the problem condition, responds to the detection, automatically assigns to the first
`
`candidate the responsibility for the problem condition, and then receives confirmation
`
`that the candidate has accepted responsibility.
`
`
`
`9
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 10 of 104
`
`b. Claim 5 of the ‘215 patent claims a method for managing an information
`
`technology device, which receives an alert from a device and receives availability
`
`information of a plurality of candidates, automatically selects a qualified and available
`
`candidate to take responsibility for the alert, and then receives a reply from the
`
`candidate indicating acceptance of responsibility.
`
`c. Claim 14 of the ‘215 patent claims a method for managing an information
`
`technology device, which receives an alert from the device, automatically selects a
`
`qualified candidate and determines candidates’ availability to respond to the alert,
`
`automatically sends an instant message to the candidate containing information about
`
`the alert, receives a reply from the candidate indicating acceptance of responsibility,
`
`and then automatically assigns responsibility for the alert to the candidate.
`
`d. Claim 17 of the ‘215 patent claims a method for assigning responsibility for
`
`responding to a condition in an information technology device, which receives an alert
`
`from a monitored device describing an event in the device, automatically detects an
`
`available administrator qualified to respond to the event, automatically sends a first
`
`instant message to the available administrator that references the alert and requests
`
`acknowledgment, receives a second instant message from the administrator
`
`acknowledging the event, and then automatically assigns responsibility for the event to
`
`the administrator.
`
`In particular, the ‘215 patent relates to management methods and systems using real-time
`
`collaboration and instant messaging technology (col. 1, lines 5-10). In the present complaint,
`
`Defendant’s ride-hailing system and method infringe on these inventive aspects of the ‘215 patent.
`
`For example, Defendant monitors alerts/conditions (ride requests) from passengers through the
`
`
`
`10
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 11 of 104
`
`Uber Application (on a device) and automatically determines the availability of a plurality of
`
`drivers (candidates/administrators) to respond to the passenger’s request. Once driver location,
`
`availability, and qualification (for example, possession of driver’s license; vehicle type; vehicle
`
`make; vehicle year; vehicle comfort level; passenger comfort level; passenger rating; driver rating;
`
`etc.) are determined, the drivers are automatically notified via their Uber Applications, they
`
`respond, and then one driver is automatically assigned to handle the passenger’s alert. The Uber
`
`Applications (passenger application to Uber server to driver application, and vice versa), use real-
`
`time collaboration and messaging technology to manage alerts and assign responsibility.
`
`24.
`
`The ‘215 patent overcomes shortcomings in the prior art, which failed to properly
`
`ensure responses to alerts and conditions in a cost effective and timely fashion (col. 1, lines 24-
`
`62). Certain of the inventive aspects of the ‘215 patent address the need for ensuring and assigning
`
`real time responses to alerts and conditions from qualified and available candidates (col.1, lines
`
`65-67, col. 2, lines 1-62). Such method and aspects were not well-understood, routine, or
`
`conventional at the time of the invention.
`
`United States Patent No. 9,460,616
`
`25.
`
`In one embodiment, the ‘616 patent claims a system comprising a mobile object
`
`server that receives information from a plurality of mobile objects within a geographic space and
`
`performs a process associated with each mobile object. A notification is provided if one mobile
`
`object has become distanced from a predetermined location or region. The mobile objects may be
`
`manned/unmanned automobiles, motorbikes, bicycles, humans having a digital device, airplanes,
`
`vessels, drones, or the like (col. 2, lines 41-43). In the present complaint, Defendant’s ride-hailing
`
`system and method infringe on these inventive aspects of the ‘616 patent. For example, Defendant
`
`monitors its drivers (mobile objects) via its central servers (mobile object server), with each of the
`
`
`
`11
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 12 of 104
`
`plurality of drivers in a geographic area providing information which is received at the Defendant’s
`
`servers. Such information from the drivers may include information about accidents, obstructions,
`
`closures, limitation statuses, or construction on the road. Defendant’s servers monitor the
`
`progress/location of the driver, and perform a process of updating the navigation information
`
`provided to the driver via the Uber Nav, Google Maps, or Waze navigation applications, with
`
`updated estimated times of arrival based on the speed, current traffic, and other considerations
`
`encountered by the Uber driver.
`
`26.
`
`The ‘616 patent overcomes shortcomings in the prior art, which failed to account
`
`for the inherent problem that as the geographic space being handled expands, the number of
`
`automobiles and the number of roads increases, thereby increasing the amount of information
`
`being sent and received to a level that surpasses the processing capabilities of the server, nor allows
`
`different information and services to be provided to each automobile and driver in real time (col.
`
`1, lines 17-25). Certain of the inventive aspects of the ‘616 patent addressed the need for
`
`improvements in managing the geographic space and mobile objects within the geographic space
`
`(col. 27, lines 49-52). These aspects were not well-understood, routine, or conventional at the time
`
`of the invention.
`
`United States Patent No. 9,691,275
`
`27.
`
`In one embodiment, the ‘275 patent claims a method for obtaining passenger
`
`information of one or more passengers traveling with a transportation network, wherein the
`
`passenger information includes passenger location information. The ‘275 patent then processes the
`
`passenger location information to determine an adapted timetable for providing a reduced
`
`cumulative wait time. In the present complaint, Defendant’s ride-hailing system and method
`
`infringe on these inventive aspects of the ‘275 patent. For example, Defendant used a passenger
`
`
`
`12
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 13 of 104
`
`app and a driver app in communication via central Uber servers, to successfully implement its ride-
`
`hailing system. When the passenger opens the application and selects a destination, the passenger’s
`
`GPS location information is automatically recorded, and the passenger location information is sent
`
`through the Uber server to drivers in the vicinity of the potential pick up location. Uber uses batch
`
`matching to balance the passenger demand and cumulative wait times.
`
`28.
`
`The ‘275 patent overcomes shortcomings in the prior art by providing and
`
`processing passenger location information to reduce wait times in a transportation network. The
`
`transportation network can include a variety of different types of transportation vehicles, including,
`
`for example, trains, buses, and planes (col. 1, lines 12-16). Certain of the inventive aspects of the
`
`‘275 patent address the need for improvements in transportation networks by obtaining passenger
`
`location information, in order to improve and adjust vehicle timetables (col. 1, lines 5-8; lines 25-
`
`33). These aspects were not well-understood, routine, or conventional at the time of the invention.
`
`The techniques disclosed in the patent allow for optimization of vehicle and/or passenger flow in
`
`a transportation network, and can be useful in reducing cumulative wait times for passengers and
`
`relieving unwanted passenger congestion within a transportation network (col. 3, lines 37-46).
`
`The Uber Application
`
`29.
`
`On information and belief, Defendant uses the Uber network/server in combination
`
`with the Uber ride/passenger application and the Uber drive/driver application to operate ride-
`
`hailing services. For the purposes of this complaint, the term “Uber app” encompasses all such
`
`functionalities and any related Uber technologies that interface with the Uber app to provide ride-
`
`hailing services.
`
`a. On information and belief, Uber operates a network/server infrastructure
`
`with its riders/passengers and drivers.
`
`
`
`13
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 14 of 104
`
`b. On information and belief, Uber operates and provides a “Ride” application
`
`that, among other things, allows Uber passengers/customers to request a ride. For the
`
`purposes of this complaint, passenger application/app and ride application/app, as well
`
`as any different, unambiguous iterations, are used interchangeably.
`
`c. On information and belief, Uber operates and provides a “Drive”
`
`application that, among other things, allows Uber drivers to accept ride requests and
`
`perform related activities. For the purposes of this complaint, driver application/app
`
`and drive application/app, as well as any different, unambiguous iterations, are used
`
`interchangeably.
`
`COUNT I
`PATENT INFRINGEMENT OF THE ‘004 PATENT
`
`Plaintiff Quartz Auto repeats and realleges the above paragraphs, which are
`
`30.
`
`incorporated by reference as if fully restated herein.
`
`31.
`
`32.
`
`Plaintiff Quartz Auto is the owner of all rights, title, and interest in the ‘004 patent.
`
`Plaintiff Quartz Auto and its predecessors in interest have never licensed to the
`
`Defendant under the ‘004 patent, nor has Plaintiff Quartz Auto otherwise authorized the Defendant
`
`to practice any part of the ‘004 patent.
`
`33.
`
`34.
`
`The ‘004 patent is presumed valid under 35 U.S.C. §282.
`
`The ‘004 patent relates to, among other things, a system and method for
`
`implementing proximity or location driven activities.
`
`35.
`
`On information and belief, Defendant operates a ride-hailing service that uses a
`
`passenger and driver application that collects current location and destination in order to execute
`
`a proximity-driven activity.
`
`
`
`14
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 15 of 104
`
`36.
`
`Direct Infringement: On information and belief, Defendant has directly infringed
`
`and continues to directly infringe, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents, one or more
`
`claims of the ‘004 patent, including for example (but not limited to) at least method claims 1-11,
`
`system claims 12-22, and computer program claims 23-33 of the ‘004 patent by making, using,
`
`distributing, providing, supplying, selling, offering to sell without license or authority Defendant’s
`
`application that include infringing features. The infringing products include applications that can
`
`be used on a variety of mobile computing devices and gather and transmit location-specific
`
`information. A detailed infringement claim mapping is provided in paragraphs 41-48 and
`
`paragraphs 49-53 below.
`
`37.
`
`Induced Infringement: On information and belief, Defendant has and continues
`
`to promote, advertise, and instruct current drivers and riders, and potential drivers and riders about
`
`Uber products, such as:
`
`(i)
`
`Defendant’s Drive or Ride downloadable applications for Android and Apple systems
`
`((Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ubercab&hl=en_US)
`
`and (Apple: (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/uber/id368677368)),
`
`(ii)
`
`an overview of how to use Uber’s branded products (https://www.uber.com/us/en/ride/),
`
`including
`
`instructions
`
`for
`
`riders
`
`to
`
`use
`
`the
`
`services
`
`(https://www.uber.com/us/en/ride/how-it-works/), and
`
`(iii)
`
`requirements for drivers to sign-up (https://www.uber.com/us/en/drive/requirements/).
`
`Defendant’s promotion, advertising, and instruction efforts include, at a minimum,
`
`maintenance of its own website http://www.uber.com, the production and distribution of
`
`instruction manuals, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and how-to videos on the
`
`
`
`15
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 16 of 104
`
`website, and other indicia of Uber branded products. (https://www.uber.com/us/en/ride/
`
`and https://www.uber.com/us/en/drive/).
`
`Defendant’s software applications require both the rider and the driver to download the software
`
`applications for mobile computing devices, such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets, which
`
`enable Uber to completely control the actions of both the riders and the drivers to use the infringing
`
`features of the products and methods for ride-hailing. On information and belief, Defendant
`
`continues to engage in these acts with knowledge of the ‘004 patent by the filing of this Complaint,
`
`and with the actual intent to cause the acts which it knew or should have known would induce
`
`actual infringement.
`
`38.
`
`Defendant Uber has infringed the ‘004 patent by making, having made, using,
`
`importing, providing, supplying, distributing, selling, or offering for sale systems utilizing a
`
`method for implementing proximity driven activities.
`
`39.
`
`The ‘004 patent is well known in the industry – having been cited in at least 159
`
`cited patents since its filing date.
`
`40.
`
`Detailed Mapping of Direct Infringement: On information and belief,
`
`infringement of the ‘004 patent by these Uber ride-hailing products and applications is
`
`demonstrated below.
`
`41. Method claim 1 of the alleged claims:
`
`
`1. A method of implementing a proximity driven activity, comprising:
`specifying an activity to be executed at an indeterminate destination location;
`storing an executable software code corresponding to the activity;
`determining a current location of a mobile computing device;
`determining whether the destination location is within a predefined proximity
`range from the current location of the mobile computing device;
`executing the executable software code at a time when the destination location is
`within the proximity range of the mobile computing device; and
`transmitting an address of the destination location to the mobile computing
`device.
`
`
`
`16
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 17 of 104
`
`
`
`42.
`
`On information and belief, the Uber application or Uber Network, which includes
`
`the passenger application, driver application, Uber server, and all related technology (hereinafter,
`
`“Uber App”) performs a method of implementing a proximity driven activity.
`
`https://www.uber.com/us/en/drive/how-it-works/
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`https://www.uber.com/newsroom/semi-automated-science-using-an-ai-simulation-
`framework/
`
`43.
`
`On information and belief, the Uber App specifies an activity to be executed at an
`
`indeterminate destination location.
`
`
`
`
`
`17
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 18 of 104
`
`
`Uber Passenger Application Screenshot February 11, 2020
`
`
`
`Uber Driver Application Screenshot February 14, 2020
`
`
`
`
`18
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 19 of 104
`
`https://eng.uber.com/sessionizing-data/
`
`44.
`
`On information and belief, the Uber App stores an executable software code
`
`
`
`corresponding to the activity.
`
`
`https://developer.uber.com/docs/riders/ride-requests/tutorials/api/curl
`
`
`https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rtCduqp6wI
`
`
`
`
`
`
`19
`
`
`
`Case 6:20-cv-00126-ADA Document 1 Filed 02/18/20 Page 20 of 104
`
`https://eng.uber.com/sessionizing-data/
`
`45.
`
`On information and belief, the Uber App determines a current location of a mobile
`
`
`
`computing de



