Entangled Media, LLC v. Dropbox, Inc.
Opinion
1 2 3 4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 5 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 6 7 ENTANGLED MEDIA, LLC, Case No. 23-cv-03264-PCP
8 Plaintiff, CLAIM CONSTRUCTION ORDER v. 9
10 DROPBOX INC., Defendant. 11
12 This is a patent case involving cloud-based file systems. The patented invention aims to 13 overcome shortcomings of prior art methods for data synchronization by creating a virtual 14 representation of data across devices through metadata indexing without requiring physical data 15 replication across those devices. Plaintiff Entangled Media claims that defendant Dropbox Inc. 16 infringes two of its patents. Entangled Media’s asserted patents are U.S. Patent No. 8,296,338 17 (“the ’338 Patent”), issued on October 23, 2012, and U.S. Patent No. 8,484,260 (“the ’260 18 Patent”), a divisional application of the ’338 Patent, issued on July 9, 2013. 19 Entangled Media and Dropbox dispute the construction of ten terms in these patents, which 20 share a common specification. After considering the claims, specifications, prosecution histories, 21 briefing, argument, and other relevant evidence, the Court construes the terms as set forth below. 22 BACKGROUND 23 The following technical backgrounds is drawn from the shared specification of the patents. 24 The claims generally relate to “a system and method for using data virtualization coupled 25 with a cloud-based file system that is shared among devices and integrated into the device 26 operating system so as to unify the representation of files across devices for availability of and 27 access to data across multiple devices a user might own.” ’338 Patent at 1:20–25. The invention 1 required either the physical replication of files and data across devices through “locally installed 2 software” or through “online backup/storage based file replication across devices.” Id. at 1:27–30. 3 Such methods utilized large amounts of storage, kept data across devices in separate locations, and 4 demanded “high-degree of user involvement for their operation.” Id. at 1:50–2:2. 5 Unlike the prior art, Entangled Media’s invention does not require “physical data 6 replication across multiple devices.” ’338 Patent at 2:18–20. Instead, it “creates a virtual 7 representation of data on all of the devices using metadata indexing” that “allows for otherwise 8 impossible amounts of data to be virtually stored on each device” without requiring that the files 9 themselves be stored on all devices. Id. at 2:20–28. The solution “does not require data to be 10 stored on a provider server, but instead stores only light-weight metadata … online.” Id. at 2:29– 11 32. It “establishes the ability for user devices to be aware of one another and communicate directly 12 when data is requested,” id. at 2:32–34, and “can also incorporate files stored in an online service 13 account, such as a photo account or video account (exemplary—YouTube.com or Picasa.com),” 14 id. at 2:35–37. The invention “requires no configuration or interaction with the user to virtualize 15 any and all data across all devices” after installation. Id. at 2:38–40. 16 While the claims of the ’338 Patent disclose a “process for establishing a singular file 17 system across multiple devices,” ’338 Patent at 11:22–23, the claims of the ’260 Patent 18 additionally disclose a method for improving computer functionality by allowing for the transfer 19 of physical files located on different devices using a peer-to-peer connection, ’260 Patent at 20 11:25–52. 21 LEGAL STANDARD 22 Section 112 of the Patent Act directs that a patent specification “shall contain a written 23 description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, 24 clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains … to 25 make and use the same,” and requires that the specification “conclude with one or more claims 26 particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint 27 inventor regards as the invention.” 35 U.S.C. § 112. 1 “It is a bedrock principle of patent law that the claims of a patent define the invention to 2 which the patentee is entitled the right to exclude.” Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1312 3 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (cleaned up). Claim terms “are generally given their ordinary and customary 4 meaning,” which is “the meaning that the term would have to a person of ordinary skill in the art 5 in question at the time of the invention.” Id. at 1312–13. This “person of ordinary skill in the art is 6 deemed to read the claim term not only in the context of the particular claim in which the disputed 7 term appears, but in the context of the entire patent, including the specification.” Id. at 1313. 8 Courts construe the meaning of language used in patent claims as a matter of law. 9 Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc., 52 F.3d 967, 979 (Fed. Cir. 1995). “Because the meaning 10 of a claim term as understood by persons of skill in the art is often not immediately apparent, and 11 because patentees frequently use terms idiosyncratically, the court looks to those sources available 12 to the public that show what a person of skill in the art would have understood disputed claim 13 language to mean. Those sources include the words of the claims themselves, the remainder of the 14 specification, the prosecution history, and extrinsic evidence concerning relevant scientific 15 principles, the meaning of technical terms, and the state of the art.” Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1314 16 (cleaned up). In addition to the words, structure, and context of the claims themselves, the patent 17 specification is “highly relevant” and is “the single best guide to the meaning of a disputed term.” 18 Vitronics Corp. v. Conceptronic, Inc., 90 F.3d 1576, 1582 (Fed. Cir. 1996). Courts may also look 19 to the patent’s prosecution history, especially to “exclude any interpretation that was disclaimed.” 20 Chimie v. PPG Indus., Inc., 402 F.3d 1371, 1384 (Fed. Cir. 2005). Finally, courts have discretion 21 to consider extrinsic evidence like dictionaries, treatises, and expert testimony. Philips, 415 F.3d 22 at 1317. But extrinsic evidence is “less significant” and “less reliable” than the intrinsic record and 23 should only be “considered in the context of the intrinsic evidence.” Id. at 1317–19. 24 Under Section 112, “a patent is invalid for indefiniteness if its claims, read in light of the 25 specification delineating the patent, and the prosecution history, fail to inform, with reasonable 26 certainty, those skilled in the art about the scope of the invention.” Nautilus, Inc. v. Biosig 27 Instruments, Inc., 572 U.S. 898, 901 (2014). Determining whether a claim is indefinite requires “a 1 particular terms. Cox Commc’ns, Inc. v. Sprint Commc’n Co. LP, 838 F.3d 1224, 1231 (Fed. Cir. 2 2016). And it must account for “the inherent limitations of language” and the fact that “patents are 3 not addressed to lawyers, or even to the public generally, but rather to those skilled in the relevant 4 art.” Nautilus, 572 U.S. at 909 (cleaned up). Still, “a patent must be precise enough to afford clear 5 notice of what is claimed, thereby apprising the public of what is still open to them.” Id. (cleaned 6 up).
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1 2 3 4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 5 NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA 6 7 ENTANGLED MEDIA, LLC, Case No. 23-cv-03264-PCP
8 Plaintiff, CLAIM CONSTRUCTION ORDER v. 9
10 DROPBOX INC., Defendant. 11
12 This is a patent case involving cloud-based file systems. The patented invention aims to 13 overcome shortcomings of prior art methods for data synchronization by creating a virtual 14 representation of data across devices through metadata indexing without requiring physical data 15 replication across those devices. Plaintiff Entangled Media claims that defendant Dropbox Inc. 16 infringes two of its patents. Entangled Media’s asserted patents are U.S. Patent No. 8,296,338 17 (“the ’338 Patent”), issued on October 23, 2012, and U.S. Patent No. 8,484,260 (“the ’260 18 Patent”), a divisional application of the ’338 Patent, issued on July 9, 2013. 19 Entangled Media and Dropbox dispute the construction of ten terms in these patents, which 20 share a common specification. After considering the claims, specifications, prosecution histories, 21 briefing, argument, and other relevant evidence, the Court construes the terms as set forth below. 22 BACKGROUND 23 The following technical backgrounds is drawn from the shared specification of the patents. 24 The claims generally relate to “a system and method for using data virtualization coupled 25 with a cloud-based file system that is shared among devices and integrated into the device 26 operating system so as to unify the representation of files across devices for availability of and 27 access to data across multiple devices a user might own.” ’338 Patent at 1:20–25. The invention 1 required either the physical replication of files and data across devices through “locally installed 2 software” or through “online backup/storage based file replication across devices.” Id. at 1:27–30. 3 Such methods utilized large amounts of storage, kept data across devices in separate locations, and 4 demanded “high-degree of user involvement for their operation.” Id. at 1:50–2:2. 5 Unlike the prior art, Entangled Media’s invention does not require “physical data 6 replication across multiple devices.” ’338 Patent at 2:18–20. Instead, it “creates a virtual 7 representation of data on all of the devices using metadata indexing” that “allows for otherwise 8 impossible amounts of data to be virtually stored on each device” without requiring that the files 9 themselves be stored on all devices. Id. at 2:20–28. The solution “does not require data to be 10 stored on a provider server, but instead stores only light-weight metadata … online.” Id. at 2:29– 11 32. It “establishes the ability for user devices to be aware of one another and communicate directly 12 when data is requested,” id. at 2:32–34, and “can also incorporate files stored in an online service 13 account, such as a photo account or video account (exemplary—YouTube.com or Picasa.com),” 14 id. at 2:35–37. The invention “requires no configuration or interaction with the user to virtualize 15 any and all data across all devices” after installation. Id. at 2:38–40. 16 While the claims of the ’338 Patent disclose a “process for establishing a singular file 17 system across multiple devices,” ’338 Patent at 11:22–23, the claims of the ’260 Patent 18 additionally disclose a method for improving computer functionality by allowing for the transfer 19 of physical files located on different devices using a peer-to-peer connection, ’260 Patent at 20 11:25–52. 21 LEGAL STANDARD 22 Section 112 of the Patent Act directs that a patent specification “shall contain a written 23 description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, 24 clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains … to 25 make and use the same,” and requires that the specification “conclude with one or more claims 26 particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which the inventor or a joint 27 inventor regards as the invention.” 35 U.S.C. § 112. 1 “It is a bedrock principle of patent law that the claims of a patent define the invention to 2 which the patentee is entitled the right to exclude.” Phillips v. AWH Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1312 3 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (cleaned up). Claim terms “are generally given their ordinary and customary 4 meaning,” which is “the meaning that the term would have to a person of ordinary skill in the art 5 in question at the time of the invention.” Id. at 1312–13. This “person of ordinary skill in the art is 6 deemed to read the claim term not only in the context of the particular claim in which the disputed 7 term appears, but in the context of the entire patent, including the specification.” Id. at 1313. 8 Courts construe the meaning of language used in patent claims as a matter of law. 9 Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc., 52 F.3d 967, 979 (Fed. Cir. 1995). “Because the meaning 10 of a claim term as understood by persons of skill in the art is often not immediately apparent, and 11 because patentees frequently use terms idiosyncratically, the court looks to those sources available 12 to the public that show what a person of skill in the art would have understood disputed claim 13 language to mean. Those sources include the words of the claims themselves, the remainder of the 14 specification, the prosecution history, and extrinsic evidence concerning relevant scientific 15 principles, the meaning of technical terms, and the state of the art.” Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1314 16 (cleaned up). In addition to the words, structure, and context of the claims themselves, the patent 17 specification is “highly relevant” and is “the single best guide to the meaning of a disputed term.” 18 Vitronics Corp. v. Conceptronic, Inc., 90 F.3d 1576, 1582 (Fed. Cir. 1996). Courts may also look 19 to the patent’s prosecution history, especially to “exclude any interpretation that was disclaimed.” 20 Chimie v. PPG Indus., Inc., 402 F.3d 1371, 1384 (Fed. Cir. 2005). Finally, courts have discretion 21 to consider extrinsic evidence like dictionaries, treatises, and expert testimony. Philips, 415 F.3d 22 at 1317. But extrinsic evidence is “less significant” and “less reliable” than the intrinsic record and 23 should only be “considered in the context of the intrinsic evidence.” Id. at 1317–19. 24 Under Section 112, “a patent is invalid for indefiniteness if its claims, read in light of the 25 specification delineating the patent, and the prosecution history, fail to inform, with reasonable 26 certainty, those skilled in the art about the scope of the invention.” Nautilus, Inc. v. Biosig 27 Instruments, Inc., 572 U.S. 898, 901 (2014). Determining whether a claim is indefinite requires “a 1 particular terms. Cox Commc’ns, Inc. v. Sprint Commc’n Co. LP, 838 F.3d 1224, 1231 (Fed. Cir. 2 2016). And it must account for “the inherent limitations of language” and the fact that “patents are 3 not addressed to lawyers, or even to the public generally, but rather to those skilled in the relevant 4 art.” Nautilus, 572 U.S. at 909 (cleaned up). Still, “a patent must be precise enough to afford clear 5 notice of what is claimed, thereby apprising the public of what is still open to them.” Id. (cleaned 6 up). “Indefiniteness must be proven by clear and convincing evidence.” Sonix Tech. Co. v. Publ’ns 7 Int’l, Ltd., 844 F.3d 1370, 1377 (Fed. Cir. 2017). 8 CONSTRUCTION OF DISPUTED TERMS 9 Entangled Media and Dropbox propose ten terms for construction pursuant to the local 10 patent rules. The first eight terms are jointly identified by Entangled Media and Dropbox. The 11 ninth term is proposed by Entangled Media and the final term is proposed by Dropbox. The Court 12 adopts the parties’ practice and refers to the ’338 patent unless noted. The terms are construed as 13 follows. 14 Term 1 (’338 Patent, Claim 1) 15 16 Claim Language “Providing by the at least one server the single master meta-index and meta-indices for each of the other multiple devices to each of the 17 multiple devices via the individual software clients” 18 No construction needed; plain and ordinary meaning 19 Entangled Media Proposal However, to the extent the Court determines that a specific 20 construction is warranted:
21 “The at least one server provides to each of the multiple devices via 22 the individual software clients the single master meta-index with each of the meta-indices of each of the other devices” 23 Dropbox Proposal “The at least one server provides to each of the multiple devices via 24 the individual software clients both (1) the single master meta- index and (2) each of the separate, individual meta-indices of each of the 25 other devices” 26 “The at least one server provides to each of the multiple devices 27 Court’s Construction via the individual software clients the single master meta-index with each of the meta-indices of each of the other devices” 1 The first disputed term appears in the first claim of Entangled Media’s ’338 patent. 2 Entangled Media argues that the term “Providing by the at least one server the single 3 master meta-index and meta-indices for each of the other multiple devices to each of the multiple 4 devices via the individual software clients” should be given its plain and ordinary meaning. 5 Should the Court determine that a specific construction is warranted, Entangled Media argues in 6 the alternative that the disputed term should be construed to mean “The at least one server 7 provides to each of the multiple devices via the individual software clients the single master meta- 8 index with each of the meta-indices of each of the other devices.” Dropbox by contrast argues that 9 this term should be construed to mean “The at least one server provides to each of the multiple 10 devices via the individual software clients both (1) the single master meta-index and (2) each of 11 the separate, individual meta-indices of each of the other devices.” 12 The parties agreed at the Markman hearing that the claim language supported by the 13 specification clarifies that the disputed term requires that both the single master meta-index and 14 individual meta-indices are provided. The Court agrees with Entangled Media that “and” within 15 the disputed term confirms that interpretation. Dropbox’s proposed construction to include the 16 word “both” consequently introduces unnecessary redundancy. See Apple, Inc. v. Ameranth, Inc., 17 842 F.3d 1229, 1237 (Fed. Cir. 2016) (“Construing a claim term to include features of that term 18 already recited in the claims would make those expressly recited features redundant.”). 19 Here, the primary dispute is over the form in which information is provided. Under 20 Dropbox’s proposed construction, the at least one server must provide the meta-indices of each of 21 the other devices in “separate, individual” form. Two words in Dropbox’s proposal then form the 22 crux of this dispute: “separate” and “individual.” 23 Claim 1 of the ’338 Patent describes a process comprising three steps relevant to “the at 24 least one server.” First, the individual software clients provide “via the multiple devices individual 25 meta-indices of the inventoried data for each of the multiple devices to the at least one server.” 26 ’338 Patent at 11:35–38. That is, the at least one server receives the individual meta-indices for 27 each of the multiple devices. Second, the at least one server integrates “the individual meta-indices 1 single master meta-index and meta-indices for each of the other multiple devices to each of the 2 multiple devices via the individual software clients.” Id. at 11:41–44. 3 Dropbox argues that limitations in Claim 1 confirm its interpretation. Specifically, 4 Dropbox cites to the steps by which the individual software client “scan[s] each of the multiple 5 devices … to inventory data on each of the multiple devices and create a meta-index of the files 6 for each inventoried data,” ’338 Patent at 11:31–34 and “provid[es] … via the multiple devices 7 individual meta-indices of the inventoried data for each of the multiple devices to the at least one 8 server,” id. at 11:35–38. “[B]ecause these individual meta-indices originate from each individual 9 device,” Dropbox contends, a “person of ordinary skill in the art” (“POSITA”) “would understand 10 that they remain separate, individual meta-indices when the server provides them to each of the 11 multiple devices.” Dkt. No. 105, at 7. In further support, Dropbox cites to two paragraphs in the 12 specification that discuss “providing by the at least one server the single master meta-index to 13 each of the multiple devices via the individual software clients,” ’338 Patent at 3:4–6, and how 14 “[t]he web service then sends the meta-indices for each of the registered devices to each of the 15 other individual registered user devices S20,” id. at 6:17–20. 16 Entangled Media responds that the disputed claim language does not use the term 17 “individual meta-indices,” whereas the claim language Dropbox cites does. Ignoring that 18 difference, Entangled Media contends, would incorrectly import limitations into the disputed term 19 and disregard the different meanings of these terms. See Applied Med. Res. Corp. v. U.S. Surgical 20 Corp., 448 F.3d 1324, 1333 n.3 (Fed. Cir. 2006) (“In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, 21 we must presume that the use of ... different terms in the claims connotes different meanings. In 22 other words, the use of two terms in a claim requires that they connote different meanings.” 23 (cleaned up)). Further, Entangled Media responds that Dropbox not only fails to cite to claim 24 language or paragraphs in the specification using the term “separate.” Importing that term, 25 Entangled Media, contends would only serve to introduce confusion. 26 The Court agrees with Entangled Media that Dropbox seeks to import a technical 27 limitation into the disputed term that is simply not supported. The claims and the specification do 1 generally given their ordinary and customary meaning as understood by a person of ordinary skill 2 in the art when read in the context of the specification and prosecution history.” Thorner v. Sony 3 Computer Ent. Am. LLC, 669 F.3d 1362, 1365 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (citing Phillips, 415 F.3d at 1313). 4 Two exceptions apply: “1) when a patentee sets out a definition and acts as his own lexicographer, 5 or 2) when the patentee disavows the full scope of a claim term either in the specification or 6 during prosecution.” Id. Neither applies here. 7 Dropbox next argues that Entangled Media limited the construction of the disputed term 8 through its prosecution history. Dropbox cites to Entangled Media’s amendment to Claim 1, 9 adding the underlined language: “providing by the at least one server the single master meta-index 10 and meta-indices for each of the other multiple devices to each of the multiple devices via the 11 individual software clients.” Dkt. No. 105-2, ’338 Patent File History at 3. According to Dropbox, 12 “[t]his confirms that the server provides not only the single master meta-index, but also separately, 13 provides meta-indices for each of the other multiple devices.” Dkt. No. 105 at 7. Entangled 14 Media’s amendment, Dropbox contends, was necessary in order to overcome the rejection of prior 15 art. See Seachange Int’l, Inc. v. C-COR, Inc., 413 F.3d 1361, 1372–73 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (“Where 16 an applicant argues that a claim possesses a feature that the prior art does not possess in order to 17 overcome a prior art rejection, the argument may serve to narrow the scope of otherwise broad 18 claim language.”). Again, however, the parties agree that both the master meta-index and each of 19 the meta-indices of each of the devices are provided. The prosecution history does not provide 20 support for Dropbox’s introduction of a “separate” and “individual” requirement. 21 Here, in the prosecution history, Entangled Media distinguishes its invention from prior art 22 by explaining how only its invention contains and transmits information from other devices. See 23 ’338 Patent File History at 10–11. Contrary to Dropbox’s assertion, that difference does not 24 depend on the specific form in which the information is transmitted. Entangled Media has not 25 disavowed the construction of this term in the prosecution history. 26 Accordingly, the Court construes the disputed term as meaning: “The at least one server 27 provides to each of the multiple devices via the individual software clients the single master meta- 1 Term 2 (’338 Patent, Claim 1) 2 3 Claim Language “Continually updating the single master meta-index on the at least one server and each of the multiple devices in response to change” 4 5 Entangled Media No construction needed; plain and ordinary meaning 6 Proposal However, to the extent the Court determines that a specific 7 construction is warranted: 8 “While the software client is running, updating the single master meta- index on the at least one server and each of the multiple devices in 9 response to changes to the data indexed thereon” 10 11 Dropbox Proposal “Running update software without interruption to immediately update in response to changes to the data indexed on each of the multiple 12 devices (1) the single master meta-index on the at least one server, and (2) the single master meta-index on each of the multiple devices” 13 14 Court’s Construction “While the software client is running, immediately updating the single master meta-index on the at least one server and each of the 15 multiple devices in response to changes to the data indexed 16 thereon” 17
18 The second disputed term appears in the first claim of Entangled Media’s ’338 patent. 19 Entangled Media argues that the term “Continually updating the single master meta-index 20 on the at least one server and each of the multiple devices in response to change” should be given 21 its plain and ordinary meaning. Should the Court determine that a specific construction is 22 warranted, Entangled Media argues in the alternative that the disputed term should be construed to 23 mean “While the software client is running, updating the single master meta-index on the at least 24 one server and each of the multiple devices in response to changes to the data indexed thereon.” 25 Dropbox by contrast argues that this term should be construed to mean “Running update software 26 without interruption to immediately update in response to changes to the data indexed on each of 27 the multiple devices (1) the single master meta-index on the at least one server, and (2) the single 1 The parties agree that the disputed term requires updating both (1) the single master meta- 2 index on the at least one server and (2) the single master meta-index on each of the multiple 3 devices in response to changes to the data indexed on each of the multiple devices. The parties 4 dispute the meaning of “continually updating,” including when and under what conditions the 5 updates must occur. 6 Under Entangled Media’s proposed construction, “continually updating” would require the 7 single master meta-index to update in response to changes to the indexed data without user input 8 under the assumption that the software client is running. Entangled Media points to language in 9 the specification explaining the “totally transparent” nature of the system, which does “not 10 require[e] the user to interact with the software,” ’338 Patent at 5:24–35, and emphasizes the 11 specification’s prior use of “continually” in this context, explaining that the solution “account[s 12 for] files on all other devices the user may own … without the user having to continually 13 designate files for inclusion or exclusion,” id. at 2:45–49 (emphasis added). Entangled Media also 14 points to an example of the “continually updating” process in the specification. It describes:
15 By way of example, if the physical file of File.DOCPHY is located on the hard drive of Device A, a virtual file of File.DOCVIR will be 16 located in the same corresponding file directory of the hard drive on registered Device B and Device C. When the user moves File.DOCPHY 17 from its stored directory (e.g. . . ./My Documents/Proposals) on the hard drive of Device A to the desktop directory of Device A, this 18 move will be indexed by the software client of Device A, provided to the web service, the user meta-index database at the web service will 19 be updated to reflect the move, the software clients of Devices B and C will be notified of the move and the software clients of Devices B 20 and C will updated Devices B and C, respectively, to show File.DOCVIR on the desktops (or equivalent locations) thereof. 21 22 Id. at 8:2–17. According to Entangled Media, this example provides further support for its 23 interpretation that “continually update” is initiated by and thus dependent on the software client 24 running. 25 Dropbox responds that the use of “continually” in the claim is a limitation that Entangled 26 Media’s proposed construction “effectively reads … entirely out” by allowing for “occasional or 27 intermittently updates … so long as the software client is only running occasionally or 1 updating” requires “running update software without interruption to immediately update.” 2 Dropbox argues that the plain and ordinary meaning of “continually” in the claim language is 3 unambiguous and cannot be reconciled with any interruption of the software—even if due to an 4 external factor causing an interruption to the software. “If the update software is interrupted,” 5 Dropbox explains, “then the updating will be delayed and will occur intermittently, whenever the 6 software happens to be running, and not ‘continually.’” Dkt. No. 105, at 12. Dropbox points to the 7 specification where it explains that updates are performed “[u]pon completion of any modification 8 to the file.” ’338 Patent at 6:62–64. Dropbox reads “[u]pon completion” to mean “as soon as a file 9 is modified.” Dkt. No. 105, at 12. Dropbox also points to the use of temporal language in the 10 specification teaching that it is “[a]t this point” that “the local device removes the aforementioned 11 file from memory, so that it is stored only in the single location/device on which it was originally 12 kept.” ’338 Patent at 6:65–67. In light of the specification then, Dropbox proposes a construction 13 that interprets “continually update” to require that the software client run continuously under all 14 circumstances such that the updates would thus occur “immediately” and “without interruption.” 15 Entangled Media responds that the specification does not denote these temporal or 16 procedural limitations, as it never uses the words “immediately” and does not “provide any signal 17 as to when such updates must occur with respect to the modifications, other than they must happen 18 at some point after the files are modified.” Dkt. No. 108, at 8. Entangled Media interprets “upon” 19 in Dropbox’s cited language to mean “without unnecessary delay.” Id. at 9. 20 The Court agrees with Dropbox that the use of “upon” expresses immediacy or close 21 temporal proximately thereafter. Entangled Media’s interpretation of “upon” to mean “without 22 unnecessary delay” is certainly consistent with “immediacy.” The claim language is not as broad, 23 however, as Entangled Media’s proposed construction would allow. Neither the claim language 24 nor specification allow for or designate some broader timeframe under which updates are 25 completed in response to changes, for example, within an hour. Absent that, the Court finds that a 26 POSITA would understand “upon” in this context to properly convey immediacy. On the other 27 hand, the Court agrees with Entangled Media that a POSITA would understand that this is a 1 Software Client to mean “a piece of software that is installed and runs continuously on the 2 device,” ’338 Patent at 4:41–42. Consequently, it is implied that the disputed term depends on the 3 software client running. Dropbox’s introduction of “without interruption” overlooks this necessary 4 condition and reads in a technical limitation not supported by the claim language or specification. 5 The invention is not claiming to solve a problem in the prior art where the software client was 6 sometimes running and sometimes not. The invention is simply not focused on complete absence 7 of interruption in all circumstances. For these reasons, the Court declines to limit the construction 8 of the disputed term in that way. 9 Accordingly, the Court construes the disputed term as meaning: “While the software client 10 is running, immediately updating the single master meta-index on the at least one server and each 11 of the multiple devices in response to changes to the data indexed thereon.” 12 13 Term 3 (’338 Patent , Claim 5) 14 “visual representation of virtual files on a remote one of each of the 15 Claim Language multiple devices that is indistinguishable from a visual representation 16 of an actual file that is located on a local one of the multiple devices” 17 Entangled Media “The same list of files is shown on multiple devices regardless whether Proposal those files include both virtual and actual files” 18 19 Dropbox Proposal Plain and ordinary meaning 20 Court’s Construction “visual representation on the local device of virtual files on a 21 remote one of each of the multiple devices that is indistinguishable 22 from a visual representation on the local device of an actual file that is located on the local one of the multiple devices” 23 24 25 The third disputed term appears in the fifth claim of Entangled Media’s ’338 Patent. 26 Entangled Media argues that the term “visual representation of virtual files on a remote one 27 of each of the multiple devices that is indistinguishable from a visual representation of an actual 1 same list of files is shown on multiple devices regardless whether those files include both virtual 2 and actual files.” Dropbox by contrast argues that the term should be given its plain and ordinary 3 meaning. 4 Claim 5 describes the “process according to claim 1, wherein the individual software 5 clients facilitate creation of a visual representation of the virtual files on a remote one of each of 6 the multiple devices that is indistinguishable from a visual representation of an actual file that is 7 located on a local one of the multiple devices.” ’338 Patent, at 12:1–6. 8 The parties dispute centers on what it means for a “visual representation” to be 9 “indistinguishable.” 10 First, the parties dispute whether the term is comparing the visual representation across 11 different devices, that is, comparing a visual representation on a local device to a visual 12 representation on a separate remote device, or whether comparison of the visual representations at 13 issue in Claim 5 is between visual representations on the same device. Many of Entangled Media’s 14 arguments rely on the assumption that Claim 5 compares the visual representation of a virtual file 15 on a remote device to a visual representation of an actual file on a local device, thereby involving 16 a comparison across at least two different devices. For example, in support of its proposed 17 construction, Entangled Media points to paragraphs in the specification acknowledging and 18 accommodating for differences in file structure and nomenclature across devices, such as a Mac 19 system and Windows system. See, e.g., ’338 Patent at 9:5–10. From this acknowledgment, 20 Entangled Media argues that “a POSITA would readily understand that visual representations of 21 files on remote computers could differ somewhat from visual representations on a local device, 22 depending on different screen sizes, color settings, other user interface customizations, and 23 computers running different operating systems with different user interfaces that present files to 24 users somewhat differently.” Dkt. No. 101, at 16. By contrast, Dropbox interprets the disputed 25 language to compare visual representations on the same device. “The claim’s plain language 26 requires that the visual representation of the virtual files displayed on remote devices must be 27 indistinguishable from the visual representation of an actual file displayed on the device where it 1 The Court agrees with Dropbox that the disputed term is concerned only with the 2 indistinguishability of a local file and a virtual file on the same device. Claim 5 is concerned with 3 the visual representation on a local device. That is supported by the specification emphasizing the 4 “transparent” nature of the invention. ’338 Patent at 5:25. “All file metadata is integrated into the 5 local device so that the view of data is common across all devices as if the files were actually 6 stored locally across all devices, even though they are not.” Id. at 5:27–30. The view, or visual 7 representation of a virtual file that is actually stored on a remote device should appear on a local 8 device “indistinguishable” from the view, or visual representation, of a local file that is actually 9 stored on such device. The specification’s express acknowledgment of differences across devices, 10 which Entangled Media notes, would be incompatible with the use of the word 11 “indistinguishable,” stretching it too far beyond its meaning were Claim 5 comparing the visual 12 representation of a file across different devices. 13 Next, the parties dispute the relevance of the specific components comprising the visual 14 representation being compared. Entangled Media argues that the scope of visual representation is 15 limited to the “list of files,” such that the claim language requires merely that the “list of files” be 16 “indistinguishable.” That is because, Entangled Media contends, the specification and prosecution 17 history distinguish the invention from the “mounting” systems characteristic of the prior art that 18 contained different lists of files. Entangled Media finds further support for its construction in 19 Figure 6 of the patent, which shows: 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 12 ie. Music 14 Documents 16 Documents ] (Ge | -Songs *Proposals “Doct 2 x 2 wi sZ_\ “Bees ‘Son ee Pictures =Xis1 “Vid1 7 “Concert “ppt “Vid2 3 ‘nga “ig at Patt *Dog Par! *Song: “Pic 4 Pe) | 12rs Viet | 1455 ates, | Pre naure zo ae spicS. 5
6 18 cy — = i, a ‘Deed “sone “Pik “ae Vacation Stemi. ‘Sones ae 7 Vid8 *DoeS *Songé *Picld 1 “2 |= vito 10 Figure 6 11 12 || According to Entangled Media, Figure 6 shows “how, after a file structure on each device has
cs . . . . . 13 been modified, a visual representation of the singular file system on each device shows the same
14 || list of files, namely the list of files labeled 20 FS.” Dkt. No. 101 at 16.
15 Dropbox responds that Entangled Media’s proposed construction fails to ascribe any
YI 16 || meaning to the word “indistinguishable” as used in this context. Claim 5, Dropbox argues, is
17 “concerned with the indistinguishability of the visual representations, the creation of which were
18 facilitated by the individual software clients.” Dkt. No. 105, at 17. Here, Dropbox argues, “when 19 || the same icon is displayed for virtual and local files, they do not become ‘distinguishable’ simply 20 || because a user’s display renders one of those icons using different display settings, whereas a 21 visual representation of a virtual file identified with a ‘vf’ extension will be distinguishable from 22 || alocal file:” Jd. 23 The Court agrees with Dropbox that Entangled Media’s proposed construction limiting the 24 || term to require only the same list of files is not supported by the claim language and specification 25 and cannot be squared with any reading of “indistinguishable.” The natural reading of the 26 || language would suggest more than that it requires just the same list of files. It would need to 27 || provide a visual representation of those files that is the same. A POSITA would readily understand 28 || this. The Court thus finds that the word “indistinguishable” in this context should be understood
1 according to its plain and ordinary meaning and requires no separate construction. 2 Accordingly, the Court construes the disputed term as meaning: “visual representation on 3 the local device of virtual files on a remote one of each of the multiple devices that is 4 indistinguishable from a visual representation on the local device of an actual file that is located on 5 the local one of the multiple devices.” 6 7 Term 4 (’338 Patent, Claims 1, 7; ’260 Patent, Claims 1, 4, 5, 7, 8) 8 9 Claim Language “Singular file system” 10 Entangled Media “System wherein local and virtual files are shown in the same 11 Proposal directories/folders” 12 13 Dropbox Proposal “A system with a common, unified view of all data across more than one device so that all of a user’s devices appear to share one single 14 native file system containing all of the user’s files across all devices” 15 Court’s Construction “System wherein local and virtual files located across more than 16 one device appear in the same directories/folders” 17 18 The fourth disputed term appears in the first and seventh claims of Entangled Media’s ’338 19 Patent and first, fourth, fifth, seventh, and eighth claims of Entangled Media’s ’260 Patent. 20 Entangled Media argues that the term “singular file system” should be construed to mean 21 “System wherein local and virtual files are shown in the same directories/folders.” Dropbox by 22 contrast argues that this term should be construed to mean “A system with a common, unified 23 view of all data across more than one device so that all of a user’s devices appear to share one 24 single native file system containing all of the user’s files across all devices.” 25 Here, the specification defines “File System” as “the component within an operating 26 system responsible for managing all manner of files, as well as presenting them within a graphical 27 user interface.” ’338 Patent at 4:25–27. The parties’ dispute, therefore, boils down to what it 1 that “singular” means “‘same’–as in, sharing the same location (a directory or folder) on a device.” 2 Dkt. No. 101, at 10. Dropbox counters that “‘singular file system’ is the ‘one single native file 3 system containing all the user’s files’ that is shared by all the user’s devices and provides a 4 common, unified view for all the user’s files across the user’s devices.” Dkt. No. 105, at 14. 5 Dropbox’s proposed construction requiring “singular file system” to be strictly limited to a 6 unified view of “all data,” relating to “all of a user’s devices,” containing “all of the user’s files” 7 and “across all devices” is not correct because it is too broad. As Entangled Media argues, 8 Dropbox’s expansive proposed construction “purports to define the entire invention, not just the 9 ‘singular file system’” that is only one part of the invention. Dkt. No. 103, at 5. The Court agrees 10 that Dropbox “takes this straightforward language and attempts to expand it to encompass the 11 entire invention, which does more than manage files.” Id. While the “singular file system” is 12 central to the invention, construing “singular file system” to incorporate each improvement the 13 invention has over prior art—as Dropbox seeks to do here—would ignore the “comprising” part 14 and the subsequent steps set forth below in Claim 1. Entangled Media’s construction, however, 15 fails to capture that the singular file system integrates data and files from across multiple devices 16 and does not simply involve data or files on the same device. That is relevant to the purpose of a 17 “singular” file system as distinct from non-singular file systems characteristic of the prior art that 18 required “file replication or cloning.” 19 Accordingly, the Court construes the disputed term as meaning: “System wherein local and 20 virtual files located across more than one device appear in the same directories/folders.” 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1 Term 5 (’260, Claim 1) 2 3 Claim Language “Appear indistinguishable to the singular file system” / “Modifying the singular file system on the first device to make local files and virtual 4 files appear indistinguishable to the singular file system” 5 6 Entangled Media “Manageable by the singular file system as if they are stored in the Proposal same location” 7 In light of Plaintiff’s proffered constructions for “singular file system” 8 and “appear indistinguishable to the singular file system,” no additional construction is needed; plain and ordinary meaning for the 9 remainder of this phrase 10 11 Dropbox Proposal Indefinite 12 Court’s Construction not indefinite, no additional construction necessary 13 14 The fifth disputed term appears in the first claim of Entangled Media’s ’260 Patent. 15 Dropbox argues that this claim is indefinite because “the claim language contains the 16 conflicting requirements that the singular file system must both (1) not know whether a file is 17 local or virtual, and (2) have access to metadata that indicates whether the file is local or virtual.” 18 Dkt. No. 105, at 17. Claim 1’s requirement, “determining by the software client if the file is 19 physically located on the first device or if the file is a virtual file on a corresponding file physically 20 stored on a second device by reviewing file metadata,” Dropbox emphasizes, is incompatible 21 with the local and virtual files “appear[ing] indistinguishable to the singular file system.” Id. at 22 17–18. That is because “Claim 1 requires the ‘software client’ of the singular file system to review 23 metadata to determine whether a file is virtual or local and the specification confirms that the 24 singular file has access to this metadata, thereby enabling the singular file system to be able to 25 distinguish between a virtual or local (i.e., physical file) via that metadata.” Id. at 18. Dropbox 26 finds further support for its indefinite argument in the specification, where it teaches that the 27 metadata indicates whether the file is local or virtual, and in the prosecution history wherein the 1 or files. Id. at 19. 2 This claim is not indefinite in light of the language of the claim and the patent’s 3 specification. The language of Claim 1 of the ’260 patent involves separate steps that delegate 4 functionality to different entities. One of those steps involves “modifying the singular file system 5 on the first device to make local files and virtual files appear indistinguishable to the singular file 6 system.” ’260 Patent at 11:30–32. A subsequent step in Claim 1 comprises “determining by the 7 software client if the file is physically located on the first device or if the file is a virtual file of a 8 corresponding file physically stored on a second device by reviewing file metadata.” Id. at 11:36– 9 39. A straightforward reading of the latter step as compared to the former makes clear that any 10 distinguishing by means of “reviewing file metadata” is performed “by the software client” and 11 not the “singular file system.” It does not follow logically from the claim language then that the 12 ability of the software client to distinguish local files from virtual files by reviewing metadata 13 necessarily means that the singular file system knows or can distinguish between local and virtual 14 files. The specification confirms the distinction drawn here between the knowledge and 15 discernment performed by the software client versus the singular file system. For example, the 16 specification explains,
17 The software client provides user device data in the form of a meta- index. For each identified data file, the meta-index includes metadata 18 such as file name, file type, file size, local path the file is stored in, date created, date modified, etc. Once all of the user’s devices and on- 19 line service accounts are registered and meta-indexed by the software client … the web service integrates all of the individual meta indices 20 for all of the user's registered devices into a database S18. This master index of metadata thus becomes the singular file system that all 21 devices use; integrated locally into a device’s operating system via the software client. The web service then sends the meta-indices for 22 each of the registered devices to each of the other individual registered user devices S20. 23 24 ’338 Patent at 6:4–20. As the above language clarifies, it is the software client that knows and can 25 distinguish files based on the relevant metadata. It is after the software client distinguishes the 26 files in that way that then the web service integrates the meta-indices into a database that then 27 becomes the singular files system. As Entangled Media argues, there is nothing in the claim 1 otherwise distinguish between the local and virtual files via the metadata that was integrated prior 2 to its coming into existence. 3 This claim is not indefinite in light of the language of the claim and the patent’s 4 specification. In context, the language in this claim is clear enough to provide sufficient notice of 5 what is claimed. See Nautilus, 572 U.S. at 909. For the same reasons stated above, the word 6 “indistinguishable” in this context should be understood according to its plain and ordinary 7 meaning. Additionally, with the separate construction of the term “singular file system,” the 8 disputed term requires no further construction. 9 10 Term 6 (’260, Claims 1, 7) 11 “Is identical to” / “A visual representation of the singular file system 12 Claim Language on the first device is identical to a visual representation of the singular 13 file system on the second device” 14 Entangled Media “Shows the same list of files as” Proposal 15 In light of Plaintiff’s proffered constructions for “singular file system” and “is identical to,” no additional construction is needed; plain and 16 ordinary meaning for the remainder of this phrase. With respect to “is identical to”: “exactly the same as and does not 17 Dropbox Proposal differ in any way from” 18 19 Court’s Construction “Shows the exact same list of files, directories, and folders as” 20 21 The sixth disputed term appears in the first and seventh claims of Entangled Media’s ’260 22 Patent. 23 Here the dispute is limited to the phrase “is identical to” within the broader term. 24 Entangled Media argues that the term “is identical to” should be construed to mean “Shows the 25 same list of files as.” Dropbox by contrast argues that the phrase “is identical to” should be 26 construed to mean “exactly the same as and does not differ in any way from.” The parties’ 27 positions here closely mirror those related to the disputed phrase “visual representation of virtual 1 representation of an actual file that is located on a local one” at Claim 5 of the ’338 Patent. 2 The relevant step in Claim 1 of the ’260 Patent describes a process comprising 3 “determining by the software client if the file is physically located on the first device or if the file 4 is a virtual file of a corresponding file physically stored on a second device by reviewing file 5 metadata, wherein a visual representation of the singular file system on the first device is identical 6 to a visual representation of the singular file system on the second device.” ’260 Patent at 11:36– 7 42. The disputed term compares a visual representation of the singular file system on at least two 8 different devices. 9 In support of its construction, Entangled Media again points to the invention’s focus on the 10 singular file system showing the same list of files across devices and the specification’s 11 acknowledgment that “due to different devices and operating systems being used, the visual 12 representations of the singular file systems on difference devices can contain some differences.” 13 Dkt. No. 101, at 19–20. Dropbox responds that “‘identical’” is an exacting standard. As such, the 14 visual representation refers to more than simply files,” as “File System” is defined as “the 15 component within an operating system responsible for managing all manner of files, as well as 16 presenting them within a graphical user interface.” Dkt. No. 105, at 21. Dropbox finds further 17 support in paragraphs of the specification teaching that the singular file system maintains “a 18 common, single view of all data across all devices,” ’338 Patent at 5:19–23, and, for example, that 19 the virtual files “appear to the user exactly as local files” and contain “all that the physical file 20 has” including “a thumb nail with an icon … the file name, the file size, the file type, the date it 21 was created, [and] the date it was modified.” Id. at 7:62–65. Dropbox argues that Entangled 22 Media’s proposed construction cannot be reconciled with the plain and ordinary meaning or any 23 other dictionary definition of the word “identical.” 24 Entangled Media again raises the issue that the claims and specification acknowledge that 25 “differences between operating systems, devices, user interface customizations, phone sizes, 26 among other issues would cause the visual representation of the singular file system on one device 27 to not be exactly the same as the visual representation of the singular file system on a different 1 “visual representation of virtual files on a remote one of each of the multiple devices that is 2 indistinguishable from a visual representation of an actual file that is located on a local one” at 3 Claim 5 of the ’338 Patent because that phrase involved only one device. These concerns are 4 relevant, however, to the construction of Term 6, which involves comparisons across devices. The 5 claims and specification anticipate this, and a POSITA would understand that different operating 6 systems use different visuals for representing files. In light of that, a reading of “identical” that 7 ignores such differences is not correct and Dropbox’s interpretation is a more aggressive reading 8 than the claim and specification would support. It requires too much and cannot be reconciled with 9 the specification’s acknowledgment of differences across devices. 10 The Court agrees with Dropbox, however, that the visual representation at issue here is 11 concerned with more than simply the “list of files,” for the reasons addressed above. Here too, 12 Entangled Media’s proposed construction limiting the term to require only the same list of files is 13 not supported by the claim language and specification and cannot be squared with any reading of 14 “indistinguishable.” The natural reading of the language would suggest more than that it requires 15 just the same list of files. Consistent with the Court’s separate construction of the term “singular 16 file system,” it would need to show the exact same list of files, directories, and folders. 17 Accordingly, the Court construes the disputed term as meaning: “Shows the exact same list 18 of files, directories, and folders as.” 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1 Term 7 (‘260 Patent, Claim 1) 2 3 Claim Language “Requesting by a software client on the first device that a peer-to-peer connection be brokered by server-based web service between the first 4 and second device” 5 6 Entangled Media No construction needed; plain and ordinary meaning Proposal 7 However, to the extent the Court determines that a specific construction is warranted: 8 “a software client on the first device requests that a server-based web 9 service provide communication parameters for a peer-to-peer 10 connection between the first and second device” 11 Dropbox Proposal “a software client on the first device requests that a server-based web 12 service establish a peer- to-peer connection between the first and second device” 13 14 Court’s Construction no additional construction necessary 15
16 The seventh disputed term appears in the first claim of Entangled Media’s ’260 Patent. 17 Entangled Media argues that the term “Requesting by a software client on the first device that a 18 peer-to-peer connection be brokered by server-based web service between the first and second 19 device” should be given its plain and ordinary meaning. Should the Court determine that a specific 20 construction is warranted, Entangled Media argues in the alternative that the disputed term should 21 be construed to mean “a software client on the first device requests that a server-based web service 22 provide communication parameters for a peer-to-peer connection between the first and second 23 device.” Dropbox by contrast argues that this term should be construed to mean “a software client 24 on the first device requests that a server-based web service establish a peer- to-peer connection 25 between the first and second device.” 26 Here the dispute centers on the meaning of “brokered.” Does “brokered” in this context 27 require simply facilitating the peer-to-peer transfer by providing the communication protocol and 1 parameters to the respective devices or does it require that the server-based web service actively 2 establish the peer-to-peer connection? In other words, does broker mean that the server-based web 3 service establish a protocol or establish a connection itself? 4 In relevant part, Claim 1 of the ’260 Patent describes a process by which, after the software 5 client determines the location of the file, “if the file is the virtual file of the corresponding file 6 physically located on the second device, requesting by the software client on the first device that a 7 peer-to-peer connection be brokered by a server-based web service between the first device and 8 the second device; if the peer-to-peer connection is brokered, transferring the corresponding 9 physical file from the second device to the first device.” ’260 Patent at 11:43–50. 10 The specification explains that “In the case of a virtual file, the software client on Device 11 A determines from the file’s metadata the remote device on which it is stored (Device B) and asks 12 the web service to broker a connection between Device A and Device B S125.” ’338 Patent at 13 8:38–42. Immediately following that language, the specification teaches that “The web service 14 determines what type of connection is possible between Device A and Device B and instructs both 15 devices of the communication protocol and parameters to be used for the transfer.” Id. at 8:42–45. 16 A straightforward reading of the claim language in light of the specification indicates that 17 “brokering” involves “determining what type of connection is possible” and “instruct[ing] both 18 devices of the communication protocol and parameters to be used for the transfer.” Entangled 19 Media’s proposed construction of “brokered” to involve “provid[ing] communication parameters” 20 is certainly consistent with that. 21 Dropbox responds by arguing that “broker” requires more—it requires the web service 22 actually “establish a peer-to-peer connection” after it determines what type of connection is 23 possible. First, Dropbox finds support for its proposed construction in dependent claim 2 of the 24 ’260 Patent, which describes the process “wherein if the peer-to-peer connection cannot be 25 brokered between the first device and the second device, an alternative connection is established 26 by the server-based web service.” ’260 Patent at 11:53–56. Dropbox reads the server-based web 27 service’s capacity to “establish” an alternative connection—described in dependent claim 2—as a 1 definition of “Web Service.” The specification defines “Web Service” as “a part of the system that 2 operates on the Internet and is made up of several types of web technologies including web 3 servers, databases, peer-to-peer services (e.g., jingle, BitTorrent, Skype, JXTA), an HTTP Relay 4 and other systems that interact with the clients. The web service acts as an information manager 5 that coordinates information, communication and activities with the clients. It also coordinates the 6 transfer of files between devices by establishing a transfer protocol, such as peer-to-peer or HTTP 7 relay, or other such method, depending on the type of connection that is available for a given 8 network or Internet connection.” ’338 Patent at 4:43–53. The Court agrees that the specification 9 anticipates that the web service may actually establish a connection and that the plain and ordinary 10 meaning of the term “brokered” encompasses the active establishing of a connection. 11 The Court agrees with Entangled Media, however, that a plain and ordinary meaning in 12 light of the claim language and specification do not require the web service in the disputed 13 language to “establish a connection.” By so requiring, Dropbox again seeks to read in a limitation 14 that is not supported here. A plain and ordinary reading of “brokered” is broad enough to 15 encompass both “provid[ing] communication parameters for a peer-to-peer connection” and 16 “establish[ing] a peer-to-peer connection.” 17 Because the disputed term does not require further construction, the Court will not 18 additionally construe this claim. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1 Term 8 (’260 Patent, Claim 1) 2 “Transferring the corresponding physical file from the second device 3 Claim Language to the first device” 4 Entangled Media No construction needed; plain and ordinary meaning 5 Proposal 6 However, to the extent the Court determines that a specific construction is warranted: 7 “transmitting the data of the corresponding physical file from the 8 second device to the first device” 9 Dropbox Proposal “relocating the content of the corresponding file off of the second 10 device and to the first device” 11 12 Court’s Construction no additional construction necessary 13 14 The eighth disputed term appears in the first claim of Entangled Media’s ’260 Patent. 15 Entangled Media argues that the term “Transferring the corresponding physical file from the 16 second device to the first device” should be given its plain and ordinary meaning. Should the 17 Court determine that a specific construction is warranted, Entangled Media argues in the 18 alternative that the disputed term should be construed to mean “Transmitting the data of the 19 corresponding physical file from the second device to the first device.” Dropbox by contrast 20 argues that this term should be construed to mean “relocating the content of the corresponding file 21 off of the second device and to the first device.” 22 The parties dispute whether “transferring” requires “relocation,” that is, the deletion of the 23 physical file on the original device. 24 At this step, Claim 1 of the ’260 patent explains, “if the peer-to-peer connection is 25 brokered, transferring the corresponding physical file from the second device to the first device.” 26 ’260 Patent at 11:48–50. Dropbox’s primary argument is that its proposed construction reflects the 27 “purported[ly] novel aspect of the patent,” namely that the invention is distinguished from prior art 1 In order to overcome the limitation of prior art then, Dropbox contends, “transfer” must be 2 understood as requiring “relocation” or deletion of data from the second device to the first device. 3 This argument lacks merit. 4 First, avoiding the need to replicate all data on all devices does not justify narrowly 5 construing this term to provide that data cannot simultaneously exist on two devices. The Court 6 agrees with Entangled Media that Dropbox here seeks to read limitations from the specification 7 into the claims. The “claims must be read in view of the specification, but limitations from the 8 specification are not to be read into the claims.” See Teleflax, Inc. v. Ficosa N. Am. Corp., 299 9 F.3d 1313, 1326 (Fed. Cir. 2002). 10 Second, such a narrow reading is not supported by the claim language in light of the 11 specification, which elsewhere teaches that “the entirety of the physical file need not be 12 downloaded in order to be responsive to most actions.” ’338 Patent, 8:61–63. While a transfer may 13 involve deletion, common sense also provides that—as in the example of the “file transfer 14 protocol” sometimes identified as ftp://—a transfer may involve copying data from one location to 15 another even if the data remains in the original location upon transfer. The plain and ordinary 16 meaning conveys that much. 17 Because the disputed term does not require further construction, the Court will not 18 additionally construe this claim. 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 1 Term 9 (’338, Claim 1) 2 3 Claim Language “The virtual files indistinguishable from the local files” / The virtual files indistinguishable from the local files by the local file system at 4 each of the multiple devices” 5 6 Entangled Media “The virtual files manageable as if they were local files” Proposal 7 In light of Plaintiff’s proffered construction for “the virtual files indistinguishable from the local files,” no additional construction is 8 needed; plain and ordinary meaning for the remainder of this phrase 9 Dropbox Proposal Plain and ordinary meaning 10 11 Court’s Construction “The virtual files indistinguishable from the local files to the user 12 and the local file system” 13 14 The ninth term appears in Claim 1 of Entangled Media’s ’338 Patent. Only Entangled 15 Media seeks construction of this term, arguing that the term “The virtual files indistinguishable 16 from the local files” should be construed to mean “The virtual files manageable as if they were 17 local files.” Dropbox responds that the term should be given its plain and ordinary meaning. 18 This term appears in Claim 1 of the ’338 Patent as part of the integrating step in the 19 claimed process. At that step, the process integrates metadata so that the local files system “at each 20 of the multiple devices” cannot distinguish between the local files and the virtual files stored at the 21 same location. Entangled Media’s construction would replace “indistinguishable” with 22 “manageable.” It argues that the patent “instructs that the local and remote files are managed as if 23 they are stored in the same location, i.e. the virtual files are managed as if they were local files.” 24 Dkt. No. 101, at 17. Entangled Media points to the specification, explaining that “[i]n essence, 25 each device file system then acts as if it is a shared file system; enabling the local operating system 26 to manage remote and local file as if they are all stored in the same location.” ’338 Patent at 5:30– 27 33. 1 the specification there, the Court finds that Entangled Media’s proposed construction ignores other 2 relevant parts of the specification that suggest a broader reading. The specification uses the word 3 “indistinguishable” again later, explaining that the “virtual files appear in essentially all ways the 4 same as a local file, making them indistinguishable unless such a distinction is enabled as a 5 separate option.” ’338 Patent at 6:34–36. The specification then describes that the “virtual files 6 appear to the user exactly as local files” with the only difference being that the virtual file “doesn’t 7 take any local space on the local device with the exception of the space required for meta-data 8 storage (less than 1 kilobyte per file).” Id. at 7:62–8:1. The “virtual files act as mock files and 9 mock the properties of the physical file,” such that “if the same actions were performed on a 10 virtual file, instead of the physical file, the same corresponding routines and results would occur, 11 thus ensuring that regardless of a user interacting with the physical or virtual version of a file, they 12 are treated as if they were the same.” Id. at 8:1–2, 8:17–22. A straightforward reading of 13 “indistinguishability” in light of both the claim language and specification plausibly covers not 14 only how the virtual and local files are acted upon, operated upon, or treated by the local file 15 system, but also how they “appear,” which goes to presentation. Entangled Media’s construction 16 ignores the latter quality. 17 While Dropbox asks this Court to adopt the plain and ordinary meaning of the disputed 18 term, there is a risk that such a construction would be overly broad. In light of the claims and 19 specification, “indistinguishability” must be read to take into account the perspective from which 20 the virtual files must be indistinguishable. The specification clarifies that the virtual files must be 21 indistinguishable to the local file system, see ’338 Patent at 5:30–33, and also indistinguishable to 22 the user, see id. at 7:62–8:22. These limits on distinguishability properly limit the scope of this 23 term.1 24 1 Notably, the examples Dropbox provides all involve indistinguishability from these two 25 perspectives. Dropbox contends, for example, that the “specification confirms that the local file system cannot distinguish between virtual and local files, as they appear the same to the system.” 26 Dkt. No. 105, at 10. Dropbox also points to the specification’s instruction that the “virtual files appear to the user exactly as local files,” and “regardless of a user interacting with the physical or 27 virtual version of a file, they are treated as if they were the same.” ’338 Patent at 7:62–8:22. And 1 Accordingly, the Court construes the disputed term as meaning: “The virtual files 2 indistinguishable from the local files to the user and the local file system.” 3 4 Term 10 (’260 Patent, Claim 6) 5 6 Claim Language “Pushing the physical file back to the second device” 7 No construction needed; plain and ordinary meaning 8 Entangled Media Proposal However, to the extent the Court determines that a specific 9 construction is warranted:
10 “Transmitting the data of the physical file to the second device at the instigation of the first device” 11 “pushing the content of the file off of the first device and back to the 12 Dropbox Proposal second device” 13 Court’s Construction no additional construction necessary 14 15 16 The tenth disputed term appears in the sixth claim of Entangled Media’s ’260 patent. Only 17 Dropbox seeks construction of this term, arguing that “Pushing the physical file back to the second 18 device” should be construed to mean “pushing the content of the file off of the first device and 19 back to the second device.” Entangled Media responds that the term should be given its plain and 20 ordinary meaning. Should the Court determine that a specific construction is warranted, Entangled 21 Media argues in the alternative that the disputed term should be construed to mean “Transmitting 22 the data of the physical file to the second device at the instigation of the first device.” 23 Dropbox’s argument here closely mirrors its argument regarding “transferring” in disputed 24 term eight discussed above, emphasizing the invention’s “purported point of novelty of 25 maintaining a file in only ‘a single physical location’ without replicating the physical file to 26 multiple devices.” Dkt. No. 105, at 27. The Court rejects that argument for the same reason. 27 1 Dropbox also contends that the plain meaning of “push back” implies that “the physical 2 file is not already on the second device to which it is being pushed back.” Dkt. No. 105, at 27. 3 Entangled Media responds that “push” should be read to stand in contrast with “pull,” thereby 4 conveying communication, message, and transmission as opposed to reading “push back” as a 5 unilateral direction requiring deletion. Further, Entangled Media argues that Dropbox’s reading of 6 || the specification as requiring deletion is undermined by the specification itself. For example, the 7 specification instructs: 8 Once the file has been transferred from the remote device to the local device, it can be viewed, edited, or modified in any way by the user. 9 Upon completion of any modification to the file, all changes are propagated back to the remote device and the local file is restored to 10 its virtual state. At this point the local device removes the aforementioned file from memory, so that it is stored only in the 11 single location/device on which it was originally kept. 12 °360 Patent, at 6:60-—67 (emphasis added). Only after modification to the file is completed and “all
13 changes are propagated back to the remote device,” does any deletion occur on the first device, as
14 || evidenced by the phrase “[a]t this point.” Entangled Media provides a plausible interpretation of 15 || the disputed term’s plain and ordinary meaning here in light of the specification. While “transmit” Q 16 || conveys this information, in context, the term “push” is also sufficiently clear. It does not require
= 17 any further construction.
18 Because the disputed term does not require further construction, the Court will not 19 additionally construe this claim. 20 CONCLUSION 21 The ten terms identified by the parties are construed as set forth above. 22 23 IT IS SO ORDERED. 24 || Dated: September 4, 2024 25 Za. 26 ke Cay > P. Casey Fitts 7 United States District Judge 28
Entangled Media, LLC v. Dropbox, Inc. (Entangled Media, LLC v. Dropbox, Inc.) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.