TED2012
Drew Curtis: How I beat a patent troll
德魯·柯蒂斯 : 我如何戰勝專利蟑螂
Filmed:
Readability: 4.4
1,109,604 views
德魯·柯蒂斯 : fark.com （一個諷刺時弊的社區網站）的創辦人分享他一次關於專利訴訟的經歷。在場訴訟裏，他被指控侵犯了某間公司一項“透過電子郵件產生和發佈新聞稿”的專利。在他的演講裏他也分享了一些統計資訊，顯示越來越多圍繞著沒有用的專利的法律訴訟帶來的問題。
Double-click the English transcript below to play the video.
00:15
Last January, my company, Fark.com, was sued
0
0
4000
去年一月 我的公司 Fark.com 被人告了
00:19
along with Yahoo, MSN, Reddit,
1
4000
3000
一同被告的還有 雅虎, MSN, Reddit,
00:22
AOL, TechCrunch and others
2
7000
3000
美國在線, TechCrunch 等
00:25
by a company called Gooseberry Natural Resources.
3
10000
3000
提告的是一家叫 Gooseberry Natural Resources 的公司
00:28
Gooseberry owned a patent
4
13000
2000
這家公司擁有
00:30
for the creation and distribution
5
15000
2000
透過電子郵件來
00:32
of news releases via email.
6
17000
3000
來產生和發佈新聞稿的專利
00:35
(Laughter)
7
20000
3000
（笑聲）
00:38
Now it may seem kind of strange that such a thing can actually be patented,
8
23000
3000
這也可以是專利 真的令人難以致信
00:41
but it does happen all the time.
9
26000
2000
但這種事並不少見
00:43
Take something already being done
10
28000
2000
將已經存在的東西
00:45
and patent it for an emerging technology --
11
30000
2000
作為新興技術申請專利
00:47
like phone calls on the internet
12
32000
3000
像透過網路打電話
00:50
or video listings for TV shows
13
35000
3000
或將影片目錄用在電視上
00:53
or radio but for cellphones,
14
38000
2000
還有在手機上聼收聲機
00:55
and so on.
15
40000
2000
等等
00:57
The problem with these patents
16
42000
2000
之所以會有這些關於專利權的糾紛
00:59
is that the mechanisms are obscure
17
44000
2000
是因為這方面的機制含糊不清
01:01
and the patent system is dysfunctional,
18
46000
2000
還有專利系統的不健全
01:03
and as a result, most of these lawsuits end in settlements.
19
48000
3000
結果導致大部分的訴訟都以和解收場
01:06
And because these settlements are under a non-disclosure agreement,
20
51000
3000
又因爲和解的保密條款
01:09
no one knows what the terms were.
21
54000
2000
沒有人知道和解的内容是什麽
01:11
And as a result, the patent troll can claim
22
56000
2000
所以這些專利蟑螂
01:13
that they won the case.
23
58000
3000
可以宣稱他們贏了官司
01:16
In the case of Gooseberry Natural Resources,
24
61000
2000
在Gooseberry Natural Resources 的例子裏
01:18
this patent on emailing news releases
25
63000
2000
用電子郵件發送新聞稿的專利
01:20
had sort of a fatal flaw
26
65000
2000
在我看來
01:22
as it pertained to myself,
27
67000
2000
有一個致命的缺陷
01:24
and that was that in the mainstream media world
28
69000
2000
這個缺陷就是在主流媒體中
01:26
there is only one definition for news release,
29
71000
3000
對發佈新聞稿的定義只有一個
01:29
and it turns out that is press release --
30
74000
2000
就是報道新聞的文字稿
01:31
as in P.R.
31
76000
2000
也就是公關學裏對新聞稿的定義
01:33
Now my company, Fark,
32
78000
2000
而我的公司 Fark
01:35
deals with news, ostensibly,
33
80000
2000
很明顯 只在處理新聞
01:37
and as a result
34
82000
2000
而不是新聞稿 所以
01:39
we were not in violation of this patent.
35
84000
2000
我們並沒有侵犯這個專利
01:41
So case closed, right?
36
86000
2000
所以官司可以了結 對不對？
01:43
Wrong.
37
88000
2000
錯
01:45
One of the major problems with patent law is that,
38
90000
2000
專利法一個大問題是
01:47
in the case that when you are sued by a patent troll,
39
92000
3000
當你被一個專利蟑螂告的時候
01:50
the burden of proof that you did not infringe on the patent
40
95000
3000
去舉證沒有侵犯該專利的責任
01:53
is actually on the defendant,
41
98000
2000
是落在被告的身上
01:55
which means you have to prove
42
100000
2000
也就是說你要去證明
01:57
that you do not infringe on the patent they're suing you on.
43
102000
3000
你沒有侵犯他們所提出的專利
02:00
And this can take quite a while.
44
105000
3000
這很花時間
02:03
You need to know that the average patent troll defense
45
108000
3000
大家要知道 處理專利蟑螂控告的案件
02:06
costs two million dollars
46
111000
2000
每件平均要花2百萬美元
02:08
and takes 18 months when you win.
47
113000
3000
就算你最後勝訴 這個司法過程共需要18個月
02:11
That is your best case outcome
48
116000
2000
這還是被專利蟑螂起訴的
02:13
when you get sued by a patent troll.
49
118000
2000
最佳結局
02:15
Now I had hoped to team up with some of these larger companies
50
120000
3000
我那時想跟一些大公司聯手
02:18
in order to defend against this lawsuit,
51
123000
2000
來共同打這個官司
02:20
but one-by-one they settled out of the case,
52
125000
3000
但是他們一個接一個地選擇和解
02:23
even though -- and this is important --
53
128000
2000
但重點是
02:25
none of these companies
54
130000
2000
沒有任何一家公司
02:27
infringed on this patent -- not a one of them.
55
132000
3000
有侵犯到這個專利 完全沒有
02:30
And they started settling out.
56
135000
2000
他們就這樣和解了
02:32
The reason they settled out
57
137000
2000
他們這麽做的原因是
02:34
is because it's cheaper to settle than to fight the lawsuit --
58
139000
2000
和解所需的費用比訴訟少
02:36
clearly, two million dollars cheaper in some cases,
59
141000
3000
因為即使你贏了, 你也要付200萬美元的訴訟費
02:39
and much worse if you actually lose.
60
144000
2000
而如果官司輸了, 你就要賠更多的錢
02:41
It would also constitute a massive distraction for management of a company,
61
146000
3000
同時, 法律訴訟會嚴重打亂公司的管理節奏
02:44
especially a small eight-man shop like my company.
62
149000
3000
特別是我這種只由8人組成的小公司來說
02:47
Six months into the lawsuit,
63
152000
2000
進入司法程序的第6個月
02:49
we finally reached the discovery phase.
64
154000
2000
終於到了舉證的階段
02:51
And in discovery phase,
65
156000
2000
在舉證的階段
02:53
we asked the patent troll to please provide
66
158000
2000
我們要求專利蟑螂拿出
02:55
screenshots of Fark
67
160000
2000
我們公司
02:57
where the infringement of their patent
68
162000
2000
侵犯他們專利
02:59
was actually occurring.
69
164000
2000
實際例子的截圖
03:01
Now perhaps it's because no such screenshots actually existed,
70
166000
4000
或許是因爲這樣的截圖根本不存在
03:05
but suddenly Gooseberry wanted to settle.
71
170000
2000
Gooseberry突然說要和解
03:07
Their attorney:
72
172000
2000
他們的律師說
03:09
"Ah, yes. My company's having a reorganization on our end."
73
174000
4000
“喔。 因爲我們公司内部正在重整，”
03:13
Never mind the fact
74
178000
2000
但事實是
03:15
that the address led to a strip mall somewhere in Northern L.A.
75
180000
2000
這個公司位於洛杉磯北部的某購物中心
03:17
with no employees.
76
182000
2000
那裏根本就沒人在辦公
03:19
"And we'd like to go ahead and close this out.
77
184000
2000
“所以我們希望快快解決這個案件，展望未來，
03:21
So would you mind giving us your best and final offer?"
78
186000
4000
所以可不可以告訴我 你們願意付多少和解金呢?"
03:25
My response:
79
190000
2000
我的回答是：
03:27
"How about nothing?!"
80
192000
2000
“零元，你看怎樣？!”
03:29
(Applause)
81
194000
5000
（掌聲）
03:34
We didn't have high hopes for that outcome.
82
199000
2000
我們對這個價碼沒太多信心
03:36
(Laughter)
83
201000
2000
（笑聲）
03:38
But they settled.
84
203000
2000
但是他們同意和解
03:40
No counter offer.
85
205000
2000
而且沒有討價還價
03:42
Now, as mentioned before,
86
207000
2000
我剛剛也提到
03:44
one of the reasons I can talk to you about this
87
209000
2000
我今天還能在這裡跟大家談這個案子
03:46
is because there's no non-disclosure agreement on this case.
88
211000
2000
原因是這個和解沒有保密條款
03:48
Now how did that happen?
89
213000
2000
為甚麼呢?
03:50
Well during the settlement process, when we received our copy, I struck it.
90
215000
3000
這是因為 在我們收到和解書時候 我把它劃掉了
03:53
My attorney said, "Nah, no chance of that working."
91
218000
3000
我的律師說: “對方不大可能會同意啊。”
03:56
It came back signed.
92
221000
2000
但 對方簽了那份和解書
03:58
Now why? You can call them.
93
223000
3000
爲什麽會這樣？你可以打電話問他們
04:01
They're not under NDA either.
94
226000
2000
他們也不受保密條款的限制
04:03
Now what did I learn from this case? Well, three things.
95
228000
3000
那麽我從這個案子學到了什麽？三件事
04:06
First of all, if you can,
96
231000
3000
第一 可以的話
04:09
don't fight the patent, fight the infringement.
97
234000
3000
不要從專利上下手 要從專利侵害上下手
04:12
Patents are very difficult to overturn.
98
237000
2000
否決專利訴訟很困難
04:14
Infringement is a lot easier to disprove.
99
239000
3000
但專利侵害則比較容易提出反證
04:17
Secondly, make it clear from the beginning
100
242000
2000
第二 一開始就講清楚
04:19
that either you have no money at all
101
244000
2000
說你根本沒半毛錢
04:21
or that you would rather spend money with your attorney fighting the troll
102
246000
4000
或是說你寧願花錢告垮專利蟑螂
04:25
than actually giving them the money.
103
250000
2000
也不願把錢給他們
04:27
Now the reason this works
104
252000
2000
爲什麽這會有用
04:29
is because patent trolls
105
254000
2000
是因爲專利蟑螂
04:31
are paid a percentage of what they're able to recover in settlements.
106
256000
3000
能在和解金上抽成
04:34
If it becomes clear to them that they cannot recover any money,
107
259000
3000
如果他們覺得在這個案件上得不到錢
04:37
they become less interested in pursuing the case.
108
262000
3000
他們就不會有興趣告到底
04:40
Finally, make sure that you can tell them
109
265000
2000
最後一點 明白地告訴他們
04:42
that you will make this process
110
267000
2000
說你會盡全力把訴訟過程
04:44
as annoying and as painful
111
269000
2000
弄得非常麻煩
04:46
and as difficult as possible for them.
112
271000
3000
令他們痛不欲生、雞犬不寧
04:49
Now this is a tactic that patent trolls are supposed to use on people
113
274000
2000
這本來是那些專利蟑螂
04:51
to get their way.
114
276000
2000
為達到目的耍的技倆
04:53
It turns out, because they're paid on contingency,
115
278000
2000
但是因爲他們只有勝訴時才有酬勞
04:55
it works really, really well in reverse.
116
280000
2000
所以這個方法十分有效
04:57
Don't forget that.
117
282000
2000
一定要記住這個
04:59
So what does all this mean?
118
284000
2000
那麽這一切要告訴我們什麽？
05:01
Well to sum up,
119
286000
2000
總結的來説
05:03
it boils down to one thing:
120
288000
2000
可以用以下一句話來做結論
05:05
Don't negotiate with terrorists.
121
290000
3000
絕對不跟恐怖分子協商
05:08
(Applause)
122
293000
5000
（掌聲）
05:13
Patent trolls have done more damage to the United States economy
123
298000
3000
專利蟑螂每年對美國的經濟
05:16
than any domestic or foreign
124
301000
2000
所帶來的傷害比起任何時期
05:18
terrorist organization in history
125
303000
3000
國内國外的任何恐怖組織
05:21
every year.
126
306000
3000
都還要大
05:24
And what do they do with that money?
127
309000
3000
那他們怎麽花那些和解金？
05:27
They plow it right back into filing more troll lawsuits.
128
312000
4000
他們把和解金起訴更多的公司
05:31
Now this is the point in the Talk
129
316000
2000
這個演講進行到這
05:33
where I'm supposed to come up with some kind of a solution for the patent system.
130
318000
3000
我應該要為完善專利系統提出一些建議
05:36
And the problem with that
131
321000
2000
但問題是
05:38
is that there are two very large industry groups
132
323000
2000
目前有兩大工業
05:40
that have different outcomes in mind
133
325000
2000
他們對專利系統
05:42
for the patent system.
134
327000
2000
有不同的主張和看法
05:44
The health care industry
135
329000
2000
醫療衛生工業
05:46
would like stronger protections for inventors.
136
331000
2000
希望對發明者有更多的保護
05:48
The hi-tech industry
137
333000
2000
而高科技產業
05:50
would like stronger protections for producers.
138
335000
2000
則希望對製造商有更多的保護
05:52
And these goals aren't necessarily diametrically opposed, but they are at odds.
139
337000
3000
這兩個觀點不是對立的，但並不一致
05:55
And as a result, patent trolls can kind of live in the space in between.
140
340000
4000
這導致專利蟑螂能在中間的灰色地帶生存
05:59
So unfortunately I'm not smart enough
141
344000
2000
所以很不幸地 我還不夠聰明
06:01
to have a solution for the patent troll problem.
142
346000
3000
沒能想出對付專利蟑螂的辦法
06:04
However, I did have this idea,
143
349000
3000
但是我倒是有個主意
06:07
and it was kind of good.
144
352000
3000
我覺得挺不錯的主意
06:10
And I thought, "I should patent this."
145
355000
2000
我在想 我該給我的主意申請專利保護
06:12
(Laughter)
146
357000
3000
（笑聲）
06:15
Behold, patent infringement via mobile device --
147
360000
5000
大家小心了。為定義為非固定電腦的
06:20
defined as a computer which is not stationary.
148
365000
4000
移動裝置申請專利
06:24
My solution: award me this patent
149
369000
2000
我的解決方法是：將這個專利給我
06:26
and I will troll them out of existence.
150
371000
2000
我會用這個專利將專利蟑螂趕盡殺絕
06:28
Thank you.
151
373000
2000
謝謝大家
06:30
(Applause)
152
375000
4000
（掌聲）
ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Drew Curtis - Web entrepreneurDrew Curtis is the founder and administrator of Fark.com.
Why you should listen
In 1993, while a student in England, Drew Curtis began sending links to his friends. Over time that grew until he founded a website for the links: Fark.com. The site has now grown into one of the largest, and most irreverant, news aggregators on the web.
Along with managing Fark.com, Curtis speaks on behalf of other entrepreneurs targeted by "patent trolls" -- an epithet for companies or law firms that file aggressive, broad patent lawsuits against other companies.
Download a .zip file of Drew Curtis and Fark's court documents >>
Drew Curtis | Speaker | TED.com