美國方法專利分離式侵權之發展—以Akamai案為中心

Abstract

隨著網路及互動式科技的發展，越來越多複數主體透過分離式侵權的方式來規避專利侵權責任。分離式侵權係發生在複數主體聯合執行方法專利的所有步驟，但卻無任一主體完成所有步驟的情形。過去美國法院在面臨分離式侵權係採用專利法第271條第(a)項處理，並搭配不同的輔助標準來判斷複數主體間的關聯性。本文係以Akamai案為中心，依序介紹Akamai案前的輔助標準、Akamai案的歷審判決及Akamai案後法院的後續發展，最後再提出對此侵權態樣的規範建議。本文認為，未來國會應藉由修法新增包含主觀要件的分離式侵權態樣，以兼顧專利權人與無辜第三方之利益。

With the development of the Internet and interactive technology, more and more multiple parties circumvent patent infringement liability through divided infringement. Divided infringement occurs when multiple parties collectively perform all the steps of a patented method claim, but no single party acting alone has completed the entire patented invention. In the past, the U.S. courts have been applying 35 U.S.C. § 271(a) to deal with this issue, together with various auxiliary standards to determine the relationship between multiple parties. This article focuses on Akamai cases by introducing the auxiliary standards prior to Akamai, the litigation history of Akamai, and cases following Akamai. In the end, this Article proposes that Congress should enact a new statutory provision including subjective elements to govern cases of divided patent infringement, so as to strike an adequate balance between the interests of patentees and innocent third parties.