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通信
以战略法律洞察力指导沟通创新
竞争、融合和变革是管理现今通信产业运作的原则。博钦通信产业律师团队为世界通信产业市场中的领军企业提供法律服务。
我们帮助客户了解他们的具体需求,以形成具有创造性的解决方案并实现其商业目标。我们处于通信产业法律服务的前沿,通过知识和经验建立了强大的基础,从而为客户提供针对具体行业以及灵活适应新兴科技或应用的建议。
我们擅长的领域包括: 核心电信,媒体和信息,知识产权隐私和安全,以及企业融资。
我们的律师曾在相关的政府法规部门和通信公司中的高层任职。客户在以下方面向我们寻求指导,例如运营商补偿,州和联邦法规,隐私和客户信息保护,市政特许经营,前沿技术的应用,从而满足执法和应急服务供应商的需求。我们还为客户提供有关在数字和互动媒体上构建内容,知识产权以及其他与财产相关的权利,并且在发展、构建和分发新产品和服务,如无线和数字通信、网络电话、位置服务、互动媒体、视频和搜索技术方面提供专业法律意见。
我们的律师曾代表客户应对监管机构的调查,并在各级州和联邦法院进行诉讼。我们亦协助过美国境外的交易,其中包括在外国,航空和海上提供服务的投资谈判。 我们经常为客户提供关于公共政策和未来趋势的建议,频繁协助有相似利益的客户之间的沟通联系。
联系方式
Areas of Experience
核心电信
国家的核心电信网络是21世纪通讯经济的基础。正如网络是从昨日的窄带,模拟,语音,铜线电路交换发展至今日的高速,数字,光纤的第三代无线网络,我们的知识以及经验已经扩展至为21世纪网络供应商提供代理服务。
我们为这些领军供应商们提供与部署,内部通讯,监管以及未来网络安全相关的法律代理服务。
媒体与信息
我们为那些通过各种媒体为观众提供新闻和信息的公司提供建议。这些媒体包括报纸、电视、有线、网络、电讯和无线网络。这些公司则包括传统和非传统的在融合技术环境下多平台运营的内容提供商。
我们的传媒及信息团队的律师为客户提供咨询的领域包括内容开发和许可,知识产权(特别是著作权和商标事务),新技术,宪法第一修正案保护范围以及日趋活跃的美国联邦贸易委员会和司法部参与的隐私,数据库所有权,使用和安全,与消费者的沟通,广告和营销等相关问题。
知识产权
知识产权是一个能够创造或保持企业在通信领域的竞争优势的有力工具。我们知识产权业务专注于帮助通信产业客户实现其技术投资的高回报率。
我们在知识产权咨询,诉讼和技术相关交易各个领域中均有充分的经验。我们为客户提供如何制定知识产权策略和项目,确定和完善知识产权,开发和许可,以及在法庭上主张或辩护这些权利等方面的咨询服务。我们帮助客户开发专利组合,以使其对潜在买家更具吸引力。我们亦帮助客户分析其有意向投资或并购的公司的专利组合。
我们拥有包括通信行业知名公司在内的 1000 多家商标客户,并在全球范围内管理 20000 多件商标申请。
隐私与安全
每个公司,特别是涉及敏感信息的通信领域的公司,在处理例如顾客或者雇员数据的时候,需要考虑如何保护数据的隐私和安全。这一领域的法律较为复杂,各司法管辖区规定各异且变化迅速。
博钦隐私和安全团队由诉讼律师、非诉讼律师、公共政策和法规律师组成。我们的团队具有丰富的实战经验并以解决问题为导向,为客户提供实用且有效的法律建议并做到美国和国际数据保护法律的合规。我们跟进不断变化的隐私与安全技术的最新情况,理解如何应对分布式拒绝服务攻击,点对点网络文件共享或使用 WiFi 联网的隐私和安全影响。我们还为公司制定和实施安全策略,并在数据丢失或损坏时为这些公司提供解决方案。
我们深刻理解顾客专有网络信息(CPNI),无线定位信息,《美国电子通讯隐私法》(ECPA),《通信协助执法法》(CALEA),《格雷姆-里奇-比利雷法案》以及《健康保险流通与责任法》(HIPAA)等相关法律。
企业融资
为了繁荣,企业必须能够在必要的时候用有效的方式筹集资金,即使在资金来源紧张的情况下。同时,一系列新的法律法规要求公司决策层重新评估与决策相关的企业和个人风险。 在这种环境下,通信企业需要能够提供广泛的投资者和监管机构信息,对企业和商业金融、税收、高管薪酬、并购颇具经验并对法律深入理解的律师事务所。
本所企业融资团队是私募股权投资,风险投资交易,IPO 和后续发行领域的公认的先驱。 我们同时为通信行业的领军企业和新兴企业提供代理服务。我们在所有类型和规模的并购交易以及私募股权交易方面均具备丰富经验。我们曾代理过私营和上市公司的买入和卖出交易,包括私募股权基金、风险投资基金和进行整合收购的企业家。
公司发展
News
代理经验
Communication Experience
Jayne v. Sprint PCS
Granting client’s motion to dismiss § 1983 claims under the Stored Communications Act.
CTIA - Wireless Ass'n v. Telecommunications Regulatory Bd. of Puerto Rico
Denying opponent’s motion to dismiss and subsequently granting client’s request for permanent injunction of state law under the Stored Communications Act.
Wallace v. Universal Music Group, et al.
Represented a mobile content provider in a putative class action arising out of charges for downloaded ring tones under California’s unfair competition and computer crime statutes. Filed motion to dismiss based in part on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Obtained voluntary dismissal of the complaint.
US WEST Inc. v. Time Warner Inc.
Court of Chancery of Delaware
Assistance in representation of the former US WEST in claims against Time Warner arising out of Time Warner’s acquisition of Turner Broadcasting Systems. 1996 WL 307445 (Del. Ch. 1996)
TracFone Wireless ETC Application
Public Utility Commission of Oregon
Represented wireless telecommunications provider in obtaining eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) status for Lifeline service.
Talk America, Inc. v. Michigan Bell Telephone Co.
Supreme Court of the United States
Filed an amici curiae brief on behalf of CenturyLink, Qwest Communications International, and Windstream in support of Michigan Bell Telephone Company arguing that requiring incumbents, like AT&T, to provide non-bottleneck network elements at cost-based rates undermines the objectives of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, and that the Act does not impose an obligation on incumbents lease their existing entrance facilities for interconnection to competitive local exchange carriers at cost-based rates. 131 S.Ct. 2254 (2011).
SimpleAir, Inc., v. Microsoft Corporation, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Counsel for HTC in two patent case related to remote notification technology for mobile devices; plaintiff voluntarily dismissed claims against HTC.
Representation of US WEST
Representation of the former U S WEST in claims against Time Warner arising out of Time Warner's acquisition of Turner Broadcasting Systems. Successful appeal of adverse ruling before the PUC in a $500 million rate case to the Oregon District Court.
Qwest Corporation v. Public Utilities Commission of Colorado
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Appeal under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 regarding the jurisdiction of state administrative agencies to review commercial agreements between telecommunications carriers.
Qwest Corporation v. Public Service Commission of Utah
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
Appeal under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 regarding the jurisdiction of state administrative agencies to review commercial agreements between telecommunications carriers.
Qwest Corporation v. Arizona Corporation Commission, et al.
U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona
Prosecution of claims under sections 251 & 271 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Qwest Communications Corporation v. City of New York
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
Challenge to municipal telecommunications franchise agreement, under section 253 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the Civil Rights Act.
People v. Harris
A case of first impression granting in part and denying in part communications provider’s motion to quash subpoena for user records.
Pacific Bell Telephone Company v. California Public Utilities Commission, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Defense of action related to an appeal from a state commission rate-setting order.
Level 3 Communications v. Public Utilities Commission of Colorado
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
Appeal of arbitration under Telecommunications Act of 1996. 300 F. Supp. 2d 1069 (D. Colo. 2003)
Fujinon Corporation v. HTC Corporation and HTC America Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas
Counsel for HTC in patent litigation before Judge Gilmore concerning optical lens structures found in cellular phones; pending.
Figa v. HTC Corporation
U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Counsel for HTC in patent litigation related to caller-id functionality on mobile phones.
e.spire Communications Inc. v. Baca
U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico
Appeal of complaint proceeding under Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Carns v. Sprint Corp.
U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
Defense of communications company against former employee's gender discrimination claim.
AT&T Corporation v. BellSouth Long Distance Inc. & Qwest Communications Corporation
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Defense of action for tortious interference with contract and unjust enrichment.
Apple Inc. v. High Tech Computer (HTC) Corporation
International Trade Commission
U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
Defended HTC in actions in the International Trade Commission (ITC) and district court alleging infringement of twenty patents relating to operating systems and mobile handsets.
American Council on Education v. F.C.C.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Appeal of F.C.C. order regarding CALEA and broadband access and services
Advanced Audio Devices, LLC v. HTC America, Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Counsel for HTC America in patent litigation related to audio playlists.
Acquisitions by Rapid Communications
Represented Rapid Communications in its acquisition of cable systems from Charter Communications, as well as multiple similar acquisitions and dispositions.
In the Matter of Certain Electronic Imaging Devices, U.S. International Trade Commission Investigation No. 337-TA-850
Counsel for Respondents HTC Corporation and HTC America Inc. in a four-patent investigation before ALJ Essex concerning camera functionality, messaging, and image processing systems in smartphones; prior to the hearing one patent was dismissed; obtained final determination finding non-infringement, and none of the domestic industry licensees practiced two of the remaining three asserted patents. Complainant FlashPoint Technology, Inc. did not appeal the final determination.
Flashpoint Technology Inc. v. HTC Corporation, et al.
U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
Counsel for HTC in patent litigation concerning 10 patents related to mobile technologies; pending.
Openwave Systems Inc.
Patent prosecution, strategic IP counseling, third party patent analyses and opinions, and offensive infringement analyses relating to client and server software for interfacing mobile communication devices with the Internet.
Nuance Communications Inc.
Patent prosecution and strategic IP counseling relating to speech recognition software and related applications.
Spectrum Lease Court and Regulatory Agency Counsel and Defense
Represent a leading wireless carrier in disputes arising from spectrum leases before the courts and FCC.
RFP and Master Services Agreements
Counseled a leading wireless carrier in the negotiation of vendor procurement RFPs, master services agreements and compliance counseling relating to wireless devices.
Insurance and Warranty Compliance Counseling
Advised numerous companies on legal compliance matters relating to device insurance and service contract/extended warranty products and services.
Communications and Compliance Counsel on Rebranding Initiative
Advised Sprint (including Nextel Communications prior to its merger with Sprint) on its multibillion dollar strategic spectrum rebranding initiative, over the course of a decade, affecting public safety communications and commercial wireless operations before the FCC and other federal agencies, and in related transactions and litigation matters.
Communications Act Compliance Reports
Represented companies, including a leading online streaming music provider and a leading mobile wireless carrier, in investigating and writing stockholder ownership citizenship reports for purposes of compliance with the Communications Act in the context of mergers and acquisitions subject to FCC prior consent.
Acquisition of Wireless Charging Technologies Patents
Represented a large electronics company in its acquisition of patents and patent applications related to wireless charging technologies.
Nonend Inventions, N.V. v. Microsoft Corporation, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Counsel for Microsoft, HTC America, HP, and Fujitsu in patent case related to media streaming.
Nonend Inventions, N.V. v. HTC America, Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Counsel for HTC America, Inc. in a one patent case before Judge Gilstrap concerning streaming media content and media playback; dismissed as a result of settlement.
Graphics Properties Holdings Inc. v. HTC Corporation, HTC America, Inc., et al.
U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
Counsel for HTC in two cases before Judge Andrews concerning four patents involving CPU architecture, floating point rasterization and framebuffering, and large area wide aspect ratio flat panel technologies; stayed pending collateral U.S. ITC proceeding (Inv. No. 337-TA-836); dismissed as a result of settlement.
MyPort IP Inc. v. HTC Corporation and HTC America, Inc., et al.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Counsel for HTC in a two patent case before Judge Davis concerning techniques for embedding searchable information in a file for transmission, storage and retrieval; prepared and filed inter partes reexamination requests that were subsequently granted and as a result obtained a stay of the case just weeks before claim construction hearing; stayed during pendency of proceedings before the USPTO; the PTAB affirmed the examiner’s rejection of all claims of both asserted patents.
e-Watch, Inc. and e-Watch Corporation v. HTC Corporation and HTC America, Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Counsel for HTC in a two patent case before Judge Gilstrap concerning capture and transmission of digital images; filed two inter partes review petitions against the asserted patents, and two inter partes review trials were instituted; stayed during the pendency of the inter partes review trials; the parties jointly moved for entry of a stipulated order of dismissal of all claims with prejudice; the order was granted, terminating the litigation.
FCC Compliance Counsel to Equipment Manufacturers
- Advised a leading technology company on FCC issues concerning the development, importation and marketing of wearable wireless devices.
- Counseled equipment manufacturers on FCC requirements covering smart-TVs, tablets and mobile telephones.
- Developed and conducted companywide training on FCC compliance issues for a leading device manufacturer.
- Counseled several equipment manufacturers on compliance matters before the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau.
- Advised FCC-licensed equipment manufacturers on Open Internet rules and related litigation.*
- Counseled a startup company on FCC certification issues relating to an unmanned automated vehicle in development.*
- Counseled an automobile manufacturer on FCC compliance and experimental license issues.*
Broadband and Cable Services
- Advised a broadband provider on federal, state and local laws governing broadband services.
- Counseled a new entrant in the wireless broadband service market on compliance with federal and state laws.
- Advised major cable broadband service providers on infrastructure lease agreements and related regulatory matters before federal and state regulatory authorities.
- Advised a provider of cable and broadband services on compliance with federal privacy laws and state and local consumer protection laws.*
- Represented video service providers in FCC proceedings assessing competition in the media and broadband markets.*
NFC Technology LLC v. HTC America, Inc., et al.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
Counsel for HTC America in patent litigation related to near field communications.
Immersion Corporation v. HTC Corporation
U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
Federal Circuit Court of Appeals Representing HTC in a case related to mobile handset software. Secured partial summary judgment of invalidity; remaining claims resolved prior to trial. Judgment of invalidity currently under appeal.
Rothschild Storage Retrieval Innovations, LLC v. HTC Corporation and HTC America, Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Counsel for HTC in a one patent case before Magistrate Judge Laporte concerning camera, image filtering, and image transmission functionality in smartphones; case transferred to the Northern District of California; stayed during the pendency of an inter partes review trial involving the asserted patent; the parties jointly moved for entry of a stipulated order of dismissal of all claims with prejudice; the order was granted, terminating the litigation.
High Point SARL v. T-Mobile USA, et al.
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
Represented T-Mobile in a patent case relating to cellular radio and core network components for UMTS voice calls. Secured summary judgment of patent exhaustion and stipulated judgment of noninfringement. Case currently on appeal.
Superguide Corporation v. DirecTV
U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina
Represented EchoStar with respect to a patent lawsuit involving EPG technology. Case No. 00 CV 00144
Marlowe Patent Holdings LLC v. DICE Electronics, LLC
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Represented VAIS Technology with respect to a patent lawsuit involving mobile (i.e., automotive) audio technology. Civil Action No. 10-1199
HTC Corporation
Represented HTC in inter partes reexaminations of third-party communications patents asserted against HTC and obtained judgment by Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) finding all claims of patent to be unpatentable in inter partes reexamination 95/001,212. Also served as lead counsel for HTC before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in a subsequent appeal by the patent owner, where the patent owner withdrew appeal after full briefing on the merits, preserving HTC victory.
FlashPoint Technology Inc. v. HTC Corporation, HTC America Inc., et al.
U.S. International Trade Commission
Counsel for HTC in patent litigation concerning camera functionality in smart phones; win at trial and initial ID. ITC proceeding 337-TA-726
In the Matter of Certain Consumer Electronics And Display Devices And Products, No. 337-TA-836
U.S. International Trade Commission
Defended HTC in a four-patent investigation before ALJ Essex, brought by patent assertion entity against Graphic Properties Inc,. directed to smartphones, including the CPU architecture, floating point rasterization and framebuffering in graphics processing units, and large-area, wide aspect ratio, flat-panel technologies. The effective use of statements made by the patent owner during IPR proceedings helped to limit the scope of the claims. The matter was terminated as a result of settlement.
In the Matter of Certain Portable Electronic Devices and Related Software, No. 337-TA-797
Defended HTC in a six-patent investigation before ALJ Gildea relating to hardware and software used by smartphones and tablets. Dismissed as a result of settlement after the hearing.
In the Matter of Certain Electronic Imaging Devices Inv. No. 337-TA-726
U.S. International Trade Commission,/br> Defended HTC in an investigation before CALJ Luckern in which FlashPoint Technology, Inc., a spinoff from Apple, asserted that all of HTC’s (and most of the rest of the smartphone market’s) Android and Windows-based phones infringed three patents, relating primarily to digital imaging functionality and device capability querying technologies. Almost all respondents, including Nokia and RIM, settled before the trial. CALJ Luckern found that none of the asserted patents were infringed, FlashPoint failed to prove a domestic industry for its patents, and one of Flashpoint’s patents was invalid. The Commission and Federal Circuit affirmed.
Wireless Mobile Devices LLC v. HTC Corporation and HTC America, Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
Counsel for HTC in a six patent case before Judge Godbey concerning navigation devices, and synchronization of data over a network; filed six inter partes review petitions against the asserted patents; dismissed as a result of settlement before institution of inter partes review petitions.
FlashPoint Technology, Inc. v. HTC Corporation and HTC America, Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
Counsel for HTC in a six patent case before Judge Sleet concerning camera, file system, and graphics processing functionality in smartphones; case transferred to the District of Delaware; filed five inter partes review petitions against the asserted patents, and five inter partes review trials were instituted; dismissed as a result of settlement.
FlashPoint Technology Inc. v. Aiptek Inc., et al.
U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
Counsel for HTC in a 10 patent case before Judge Sleet concerning camera user interface functionality in smartphones; obtained a stay of the entire case after Judge Sleet lifted previous stay due to completion of reexaminations, in light of FlashPoint’s filing of a complaint asserting four of the 10 patents before the U.S. International Trade Commission (Inv. No. 337-TA-850); dismissed as a result of settlement.
Datascape, Inc. v. Kyocera Wireless Corp.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
Counsel for Kyocera in a six patent case before Judge Cooper relating to data transaction systems which communicate over a network with a plurality of non-standard I/O remote terminals. Datascape accused Kyocera cellular handsets and smartphones of infringement. Settled favorably before trial.
Rate Case: Qwest Communications International Inc. Oregon
Public Utility Commission of Oregon
Circuit Court of Oregon, Marion County
Appealed successfully a PUC order, obtaining reversal of a $97 million annual revenue reduction and obtained the desired rate design.
Power Grid Communications
Represented Broadband Over Power Line provider in negotiating operating, service and purchase agreements with electric utilities.
Pole Attachment: Central Electric Cooperative Inc. v. Qwest Communications International Inc.
U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
Public Utility Commission of Oregon Defended Qwest Successfully against a claim for $20 million in regulatory penalties for unlawful pole attachments. Obtained a full summary judgment and negotiated a new pole attachment agreement.
Northwest Public Communications Council v. Qwest Corporation
U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Court of Appeals of Oregon
Public Utility Commission of Oregon
Defended Qwest successfully against refund claims by payphone service providers in multiple forums and appeals.
Attorney General Investigations of Qwest Communications
Represented the telecommunications utility and wireless provider in multistate attorneys general investigations into alleged unlawful trade practices; negotiated favorable settlements.
Trademark Re-brand of International Communications Company
Managed a major re-brand for an international communication network company, involving domestic and international clearance, selection of a new corporate name, mark and logo, and trademark filings. Facilitated associated international trademark registration strategy and filings.
* Prior Experience
ience