美國專利侵權攻防策略之探討：兼論反托拉斯法

U.S. Patent infringement: Strategy: Antirust law

舉發或主張專利無效性為專利權人因應侵權救濟之常用方式，被告得主張非落入專利範圍、逆均等論、全要件限制、申請過程禁反言等抗辯事由答辯。本文以美國專利侵權策略為主軸，闡明答辯訴訟程序之外，兼論反托拉斯法，盼能對國內企業在國際市場競爭力提升，減少因一紙合約準據法規定或一造判決而退出國際市場，失去智財價值之傷害。
專利蟑螂（patent troll）常以明知、故意、惡意方式，攻擊特定中小型企業，並善用律師函(attorney letters)或法院送達程序（service）交付起訴書(complaint)，企圖啟動和解談判牟取暴利。如何分析判定專利蟑螂成為重要課題，台灣企業更應提高之風險管理意識、避免一造判決，應從訴訟程序開始建立一套專利侵權之訴的攻防策略，隨時注意企業法律環境、侵權案例、舉發決定、重要專利判決，重新檢視內部組織及遵循法規、判例，有效制訂風險管理及危機處理機制。

Alleging the invalidity of a patent is a common method used by patent troll to remedy patent infringement. In rebuttal, the defendant may assert defenses such as non-falling within the scope of the patent, reexamination, all element limitation, and prosecution history estoppel. This article focuses on the U.S. patent infringement strategy. In addition to clarifying the defense litigation procedures (service), it also briefly touches s antitrust law. It is hoped that it can improve the competitiveness of domestic enterprises in the international market while reducing the risk of being out of international market due to the provisions of the applicable (governing) law of a contract or a default judgment. The harm caused merely by patent infringement is irreparable.
Patent trolls often attack specific small and medium-sized enterprises in bad faith, and employ attorney letters or foreign court service to deliver complaints in an attempt to initiate litigation or settlement negotiations for profit. How to analyze and determine whether or not the non-practicing entity (NPE, also known as patent troll) has become an important topic. Taiwanese companies should improve their awareness of risk management and avoid making wrong judgments. They should establish a set of offensive and defensive strategies for patent infringement starting from the litigation process, service and always pay attention to the legal environment of business, judicial precedents of infringement cases, and reexamination reports or decisions (USPTO). A well organized and effective formulation of risk management and crisis management mechanisms shall be established accordingly.