Guess what? Someone has just sued some end users over alleged patent infringement.

Courthouse News had the news first that EveryMD has filed a lawsuit [PDF] alleging patent infringement against Facebook end users, specifically Facebook users who have business accounts, naming Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich as defendants, after Facebook refused to pay a royalty for EveryMD's patents. The complaint also names as defendants "Does 1-1000", which it defines as "each a presently unidentified one of an estimated 4,000,000 additional Facebook business account holders that are subject to the jurisdiction of this court."

Shades of SCO Group, who sued business end users of Linux, like DaimlerChrysler and AutoZone, for alleged copyright infringement after IBM refused to pay them off. They were asking $699 for anyone using a server in the enterprise that ran Linux. EveryMD is asking business accounts on Facebook to pay $500, their "reduced" price. If the group is large enough, $500 each comes to the same as one lump sum from a deep pockets company, I guess is the rationale.

Courthouse News:

EveryMD claims that Facebook uses its '122 patent to create Facebook pages for its members. It claims that it offered to sell the '122 patent to Facebook in 2001, but Facebook refused, and its offer has expired.

It claims that Facebook's use of the '122 patent is unauthorized, and "leaves holders of Facebook business accounts liable for infringement of the '122 patent for unauthorized commercial use of Facebook pages produced by Facebook using the method of the '122 patent."

SCO Group Inc is preparing to take a Linux user to court to speed up the legal process in its claim Unix code has been illegally copied into Linux, and also encourage Linux users to take out a license for its intellectual property. ..."We are prepared to have this heard on a quicker basis in a customer environment if that's what it takes to quicken it up," he said. . . . McBride added SCO is identifying Linux users for possible litigation. He said SCO had for the last month gathered information on Linux users, and identified about 10% of the total Linux servers sold last year. McBride added that he expected that figure to rise to 40% over the coming weeks before SCO would take action....

"There's a bouncing ball that ends up in the hands of customers because of the GPL," said McBride....

Mark Heise, of law firm Boies Schiller and Flexner, representing SCO against IBM, believes SCO is entitled to pursue users based on its claims. "End users are improperly using this copyrighted material, and under copyright law SCO is entitled to damages and injunctive relief," he said.

Sontag warned users that ignoring SCO's requests to license the code in advance of a court case could be costly. "Those who have chosen to ignore the license are more in a situation of potential willful infringement," Sontag said.

By "business accounts" holders, EveryMD seems to mean *anyone* with a business account:

"Facebook's failure to purchase the '122 patent or otherwise obtain rights under the '122 patent leaves holders of Facebook business accounts liable for infringement of the '122 patent for unauthorized commercial use of Facebook Pages produced by Facebook using the method of the '122 patent."

If you'd like to know one important reason why software patents ought not to be permitted, here are some articles that explain it:

• An Explanation of Computation Theory for Lawyers
• Software is Mathematics
• A Simpler Explanation of Why Software Is Mathematics; or, if you prefer visuals,
• Patent Absurdity a 30-minute movie.

Software is algorithms, which are by law not allowed to be patented per se. If you think there is anything else in there, pray tell us what you think that something might be. As Donald Knuth wrote to Congress once back in 1999, "I am told that the courts are trying to make a distinction between mathematical algorithms and nonmathematical algorithms. To a computer scientist, this makes no sense, because every algorithm is as mathematical as anything could be."

If all there is inside software is algorithms, and all algorithms are mathematical, then it follows like night follows day that folks have been patenting mathematics, which is a perfect system for closing down innovation, aside from being a violation of the law of what is supposed to be patentable.

Congress didn't listen to Knuth, and neither did the USPTO or the Federal Circuit, and now the chickens are coming home to roost in the marketplace and the courts. Look at the smartphone patent wars. Who benefits from this silliness? You? Me? The market? The public?

They only solution is to ban software patents, which has a stranglehold on Internet companies and now are threatening end users. Otherwise, you are looking at the future in this litigation, where anyone with a webpage on the Internet is allegedly liable.

Let this case, please, be a wakeup call. Needless to say, it has me wide awake, and I'll definitely be following this case, even though I don't use Facebook, because of its privacy policies. I never choose cases based on who I like or dislike, only on the issue being raised and the principles involved.

Update: Here's the docket so far:

02/27/2012 - 1 - COMPLAINT against Defendants Does 1-10, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum. Case assigned to Judge Dean D. Pregerson for all further proceedings. Discovery referred to Magistrate Judge John E. McDermott.(Filing fee $ 350 PAID.) Jury Demanded., filed by Plaintiff Everymd. (et) (Entered: 02/27/2012)

02/27/2012 - 21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint - (Discovery) 1 as to Defendants Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum. (et) (Entered: 02/27/2012)

02/27/2012 - 2 - CERTIFICATION AND NOTICE of Interested Parties filed by Plaintiff Everymd, identifying Other Affiliate Frank M Weyer, Other Affiliate Troy K Javaher for Everymd. (et) (Entered: 02/27/2012)

02/27/2012 - 3 - REPORT ON THE FILING OF AN ACTION Regarding a Patent or a Trademark (Initial Notification) filed by Everymd. (et) (Entered: 02/27/2012)

02/27/2012 - 4 - NOTICE TO PARTIES OF COURT-DIRECTED ADR PROGRAM filed. (et) (Entered: 02/27/2012)

EveryMD announced today that it is publicly releasing a copy of its most recent appeal brief filed February 13, 2012 with the U.S. Patent Office's Board of Patent Appeals. EveryMD's appeal brief is the latest filing in ongoing patent reexamination proceedings before the U.S. Patent Office initiated by Facebook against EveryMD's U.S. Patent No. 7,644,122 entitled “Method, Apparatus and Business System for Online Communications with Online and Offline Recipients.” (U.S. Patent Office Reexamination Control No. 95/001411). In the appeal brief, EveryMD uses statements from Facebook's recently filed IPO prospectus as evidence of the patent's validity. The appeal brief states:

“Thus [Facebook] expressly admits that its commercial success is based on providing its members the tools to ‘stay connected’ – namely the member’s homepages that allow users to send messages to and post comments and rating information (what [Facebook] calls “Likes”) about members. These features are precisely the novel features of the claimed invention: a server providing member homepages with controls for sending messages and posting comments are claimed in all claims 1-26, while a server providing homepages with controls for posting rating information are additionally claimed in dependent claims 6, 7, 10 and 11. Accordingly, [Facebook’s] own admissions contradict its assertion that there is no “nexus” between [Facebook’s] commercial success and the claimed invention.”

In earlier filings with the Patent Office, Facebook had argued that EveryMD’s invention is an “obvious” combination of technologies that existed at the time the patent application was filed in 1999. The EveryMD inventors, in their filings with the Patent Office, had argued that Facebook’s commercial success as a result of using the patented invention shows that the patent is not obvious. Facebook in return argued that the EveryMD inventors had not shown a "nexus" between the patented invention and Facebook's success. In the rebuttal brief, EveryMD uses language from Facebook's IPO prospectus as evidence of the "nexus" Facebook argued is lacking.

EveryMD had filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Facebook in January 2010 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Civil Action No. CV 10-00499). As shown by the U.S. District Court's records, EveryMD had filed a motion for summary judgment of patent infringement against Facebook in September 2010. In EveryMD's summary judgment motion, EveryMD provided evidence to support its allegation that its patent covers the method used by Facebook for providing Facebook pages to Facebook members. As shown by the District Court's records, before EveryMD's summary judgment motion was ruled upon by the Court, Facebook moved to stay the litigation until the patent reexamination proceedings are concluded.

According to U.S. Patent Office records, EveryMD's patent was filed in November 1999. According to EveryMD's filings in the reexamination proceedings, the patented invention grew out of development of the medical doctor communications website http://www.EveryMD.com, which has been in continuous operation since 2001.

According to EveryMD's attorney Frank Weyer, the timing of Facebook's IPO Prospectus could not have been better. "Earlier in the litigation, we had offered our patent to Facebook for a minimal fee, representing a one-time fee of less than $.02 per Facebook member at the time--an almost negligible amount given the vast sums of money that Facebook intends to make off its users," says Weyer. "Instead, Facebook rejected that offer and tried to overwhelm us with their team of high-priced attorneys. We are now pleased that Facebook did not take us up on our earlier offer. Thanks to Facebook’s IPO prospectus, we realize our earlier offer was greatly undervalued. It will now take a substantially higher sum to resolve this ongoing patent dispute."

In the reexamination, all of the claims are currently on appeal to the Patent Office's internal Board of Appeals (BPAI) following a final rejection of the claims by an examiner in the Central Reexamination Unit (CRU). At least two other continuations of the application are pending and claim priority to the original 1999 filing date.

Update 2: Oh, brother. Look what Facebook has been going through with these plaintiffs since February of 2010, when Frank M. Weyer and Troy K. Javaher sued Facebook for alleged patent infringement, adding Facebook as defendant with MySpace, which they sued the month before. Here's the docket sheet showing the case in the US District Court for the Central District of California, currently administratively closed, only to be opened if the patents get reinstated on appeal, which the judge said is unlikely. So, now they turn around and sue three presidential candidates and every business account holder on Facebook, with patents they've been told are not valid. Please notice how many times Facebook tried to get this case dismissed, and consider the cost of all this. I wish the USPTO and the Federal Circuit and the US Supreme Court would. I'll plug in a few of the most important documents in a bit:

2:10-cv-00499-MRP -FFM Frank M Weyer et al v. MySpace Inc
Mariana R. Pfaelzer, presiding
Frederick F. Mumm, referral
Date filed: 01/25/2010
Date terminated: 08/23/2011
Date of last filing: 08/23/2011

History - Doc. - No. - Dates - Description

Filed & Entered: 01/25/2010
Summons Issued
Docket Text: 21 DAY Summons Issued re Complaint - (Discovery)[1] as to defendant MySpace Inc. (esa)

1 - Filed & Entered: 01/25/2010
COMPLAINT against defendant MySpace Inc; (Filing fee $350 PAID); Jury Demanded; filed by plaintiffs Frank M Weyer, Troy K Javaher.(esa) (ds).

2 - Filed & Entered: 01/25/2010
CERTIFICATION AND NOTICE OF INTERESTED PARTIES filed by plaintiff Frank M Weyer, Troy K Javaher. (esa) (ds).

3 - Filed & Entered: 01/25/2010
REPORT ON THE FILING OF AN ACTION Regarding a Patent or a Trademark (Initial Notification) filed by Frank M Weyer, Troy K Javaher. (esa)

4 - Filed & Entered: 01/25/2010
Notice to Parties of Court-Directed ADR Program (ADR-8) Docket Text: NOTICE TO PARTIES OF ADR PILOT PROGRAM filed.(esa)

5 - Filed: 01/26/2010
Entered: 01/27/2010
STANDING ORDER regarding Newly Assigned Cases (See document for further details) by Judge Philip S. Gutierrez. (ir)

6 - Filed & Entered: 02/05/2010
ORDER TRANSFERRING CIVIL ACTION pursuant to Section 3.1 of General Order 08-05. ORDER case transferred from Judge Philip S. Gutierrez to the calendar of Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer for all further proceedings. The case number will now reflect the initials of the transferee Judge CV10-00499 MRP (FFMx). Signed by Judge Philip S. Gutierrez and Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer. (at)

7 - Filed & Entered: 02/16/2010
Docket Text: AMENDED DOCUMENT filed by Plaintiffs Troy K Javaher, Frank M Weyer. FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT filed by Plaintiffs Troy K Javaher, Frank M Weyer (Weyer, Frank)

8 - Filed & Entered: 03/23/2010
WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed filed by plaintiff Frank M Weyer. upon Facebook Inc. waiver sent by Plaintiff on 2/23/2010, answer due 4/24/2010. Waiver of Service signed by Sam O'Rourke. (Weyer, Frank)

9 - Filed & Entered: 03/24/2010
WAIVER OF SERVICE Returned Executed filed by plaintiff Frank M Weyer. upon MySpace Inc waiver sent by Plaintiff on 2/23/2010, answer due 4/24/2010. Waiver of Service signed by Janene Bassett. (Weyer, Frank)

10 - Filed & Entered: 03/26/2010
NOTICE TO FILER OF DEFICIENCIES in Electronically Filed Documents RE: Amended Document (Non-Motion)[7]. The following error(s) was found: L.R. 3-2 Filing of Initiating Documents. Complaints (including third-party complaints, couter-claims, cross-claims) and other initiating documents in civil cases shall be filed in the traditional manner on paper rather than electronically. Please manually file your First Amended Complaint. In response to this notice the court may order (1) an amended or correct document to be filed (2) the document stricken or (3) take other action as the court deems appropriate. You need not take any action in response to this notice unless and until the court directs you to do so. (lom)

11 - Filed & Entered: 04/26/2010
CERTIFICATION and NOTICE of Interested Parties filed by Defendant MySpace Inc, identifying Fox Interactive Media, Inc., and News Corporation. (Devkar, Andrew)

12 - Filed & Entered: 04/26/2010
Terminated: 06/17/2010
NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Dismiss Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6) filed by Defendant Facebook Inc., MySpace Inc. Motion set for hearing on 6/7/2010 at 11:00 AM before Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer. (Attachments: # (1) Proposed Order)(Knauss, Daniel)

13 - Filed & Entered: 04/26/2010
MEMORANDUM in Support of MOTION to Dismiss Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6) MOTION to Dismiss Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6)[12] filed by Defendants Facebook Inc., MySpace Inc. (Knauss, Daniel)

14 - Filed & Entered: 04/26/2010
OF SERVICE filed by Defendant Facebook Inc., re MOTION to Dismiss Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6) MOTION to Dismiss Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6)[12], Memorandum in Support of Motion[13] served on 04/26/2010. (Knauss, Daniel)

15 - Filed & Entered: 04/26/2010
Certification and Notice of Interested Parties filed by Defendant Facebook Inc., (Keefe, Heidi)

16 - Filed & Entered: 04/28/2010
NOTICE OF ERRATA filed by Defendant Facebook Inc.. correcting MOTION to Dismiss Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6) MOTION to Dismiss Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6)[12], Memorandum in Support of Motion[13] (Knauss, Daniel)

17 - Filed & Entered: 05/03/2010
OPPOSITION Opposition re: MOTION to Dismiss Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6) MOTION to Dismiss Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6)[12] Request for Sanctions, Declaration of Frank Weyer filed by Plaintiffs Troy K Javaher, Frank M Weyer. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit Exhibit 1, # (2) Exhibit Exhibit 2, # (3) Exhibit Exhibit 3, # (4) Exhibit Exhibit 4, # (5) Exhibit Exhibit 5, # (6) Exhibit Exhibit 6)(Weyer, Frank)

18 - Filed & Entered: 05/06/2010
NOTICE of Change of Attorney Information for attorney Reuben H. Chen counsel for Defendant Facebook Inc.. Adding Reuben H. Chen as attorney as counsel of record for Facebook, Inc. for the reason indicated in the G-06 Notice. Filed by Defendant FACEBOOK, INC. (Chen, Reuben)

19 - Filed & Entered: 05/12/2010
NOTICE of Change of Attorney Information for attorney Richard De Bodo counsel for Defendant MySpace Inc. Adding Richard de Bodo as attorney as counsel of record for Myspace, Inc. for the reason indicated in the G-06 Notice. Filed by Defendant Myspace, Inc. (De Bodo, Richard)

20 - Filed & Entered: 05/24/2010
MEMORANDUM in Support of Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P.12(b)(6) filed by Defendant Facebook Inc.. (Attachments: # (1) Declaration Declaration of Reuben H. Chen ISO Defendants' Reply Memorandum In Support of Motion to Dismiss Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P.12(b)(6), # (2) Declaration Declaration of Richard De Bodo ISO Defendants' Motion to Dismiss)(Knauss, Daniel)

21 - Filed & Entered: 05/26/2010
STIPULATION to Continue Hearing date for Defendants' Motion to Dismiss from June 7, 2010 to June 21, 2010 Re: MOTION to Dismiss Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6) MOTION to Dismiss Pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 12(b)(6)[12] filed by Defendant MySpace Inc. (Attachments: # (1) Proposed Order)(Devkar, Andrew)

22 - Filed: 05/27/2010
Entered: 05/28/2010
ORDER by Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer,( Motion set for hearing on 6/21/2010 at 11:00 AM before Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer.) (sce)

23 - Filed & Entered: 06/17/2010
ORDER by Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer: granting in part and denying in part [12] pending Motion to Dismiss. The hearing scheduled for the motion to dismiss is VACATED. The parties are further ORDERED to serve infringement and invalidity contentions in strict compliance with the Court's directions in this Order. (See attached document for requirements.) (lom)

24 - Filed & Entered: 07/01/2010
ANSWER to Complaint - (Discovery)[1] with JURY DEMAND and Counterclaims filed by Defendant MySpace Inc.(Devkar, Andrew) Modified on 7/8/2010 (lom). (Corrected Answer and Counterclaim, filed 7/2/10, re [27].)

25 - Filed & Entered: 07/01/2010
ANSWER to Complaint - (Discovery)[1] filed by defendant Facebook Inc..(Knauss, Daniel) Modified on 7/7/2010 (lom).(See Corrected Docket no. 26, for manually filed answer and counterclaim) Modified on 7/7/2010 (lom).

[] - Filed: 07/02/2010
Entered: 07/07/2010
21 DAY Summons Issued re Answer to Complaint and Counterclaim [26] as to Counter Defendants Troy K Javaher, Frank M Weyer. (lom)

26 - Filed: 07/02/2010
Entered: 07/07/2010
ANSWER to First Amended Complaint [7] AND COUNTERCLAIMS; Demand for Jury Trial against Counter Defendants Troy K Javaher, Frank M Weyer filed by Defendant/Counter Claimant Facebook Inc. (lom) (Additional attachment(s) added on 7/7/2010: # (1) Summons, # (2) Summons Issued) (lom). Modified on 7/7/2010 (lom).

27 - Filed: 07/02/2010
Entered: 07/08/2010
ANSWER to First Amended Complaint [7] and COUNTERCLAIM; Demand for Jury Trial against Troy K Javaher, Frank M Weyer filed by Defendant MySpace Inc.(lom) Modified on 7/8/2010 (lom).

28 - Filed & Entered: 07/09/2010
ANSWER TO COUNTERCLAIMS ANSWER to Answer to Complaint (Discovery), Counterclaim, Answer to Complaint (Discovery), [26], Answer to Complaint, Counterclaim[27], ANSWER filed by counterclaim defendant Troy K Javaher, Frank M Weyer.(Weyer, Frank)

29 - Filed & Entered: 08/02/2010
Terminated: 08/11/2010
NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Stay Case pending Reexamination of the '122 Patent filed by Defendants Facebook Inc., MySpace Inc. Motion set for hearing on 8/30/2010 at 11:00 AM before Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer. (Attachments: # (1) Proposed Order)(Devkar, Andrew)

30 - Filed & Entered: 08/02/2010
MEMORANDUM in Support of MOTION to Stay Case pending Reexamination of the '122 Patent[29] filed by Defendants Facebook Inc., MySpace Inc, Counter Claimants Facebook Inc., MySpace Inc. (Devkar, Andrew)

31 - Filed & Entered: 08/02/2010
DECLARATION of Andrew V. Devkar in suport of MOTION to Stay Case pending Reexamination of the '122 Patent[29] filed by Defendants Facebook Inc., MySpace Inc, Counter Claimants Facebook Inc., MySpace Inc. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit A, # (2) Exhibit B, # (3) Exhibit C, # (4) Exhibit D, # (5) Exhibit E, # (6) Exhibit F)(Devkar, Andrew)

32 - Filed: 08/02/2010
Entered: 08/03/2010
MINUTES IN CHAMBERS by Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer. Pursuant to F.R.Civ.P. 16(b), a scheduling conference is set in this matter for Monday, September 13, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. The parties are reminded of their obligations to disclose information, confer on a discovery plan, and report to the Court, as required by F.R.Civ.P. 26 and the Local Rules of this Court. Trial counsel are ordered to be present. (lom)

33 - Filed & Entered: 08/09/2010
Plaintiffs Memorandum in Opposition to Defendants' Motion for a Stay of Litigation Pending Reexamination opposition re: MOTION to Stay Case pending Reexamination of the '122 Patent[29] filed by Plaintiffs Troy K Javaher, Frank M Weyer. (Weyer, Frank)

34 - Filed: 08/11/2010
Entered: 08/12/2010
MINUTES (IN CHAMBERS) by Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer: The Court DENIES Defendants' Motion to Stay of litigation pending reexamination [29]. The Court ORDERS Defendants to notify the Court if Defendant Facebook, Inc.'s request forinter partes reexamination is granted. (jp)

35 - Filed & Entered: 08/27/2010
Terminated: 09/02/2010
First REQUEST to Substitute attorney E. Daniel Robinson in place of attorney Christopher P. Broderick, Andrew V. Devkar, and Richard De Bodo filed by Defendant MySpace Inc. (Attachments: # (1) Proposed Order)(Choe, Samantha)

36 - Filed & Entered: 09/01/2010
Terminated: 09/02/2010
APPLICATION for attorney Kevin Barry Collins to Appear Pro Hac Vice (PHV FEE NOT PAID.) filed by defendant MySpace Inc. (Attachments: # (1) Letter Cert. of Good Standing, # (2) Proposed Order Order on App of Non-Res Attorney to Appear in Specific Case)(Robinson, Edward)

37 - Filed & Entered: 09/01/2010
Terminated: 08/02/2011
NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION for Summary Adjudication as to Patent Infringement by Defendants Myspace, Inc. and Facebook, Inc. filed by Plaintiffs Troy K Javaher, Frank M Weyer. Motion set for hearing on 10/25/2010 at 11:00 AM before Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer. (Weyer, Frank)

38 - Filed & Entered: 09/01/2010
MEMORANDUM in Support of MOTION for Summary Adjudication as to Patent Infringement by Defendants Myspace, Inc. and Facebook, Inc.[37] filed by Plaintiffs Troy K Javaher, Frank M Weyer. (Weyer, Frank)

39 - Filed & Entered: 09/01/2010
DECLARATION of Frank M Weyer In support of MOTION for Summary Adjudication as to Patent Infringement by Defendants Myspace, Inc. and Facebook, Inc.[37] filed by Plaintiffs Troy K Javaher, Frank M Weyer. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit Exhibit 1, # (2) Exhibit Exhibits 2-18, # (3) Exhibit Exhibits 19-22)(Weyer, Frank)

40 - Filed & Entered: 09/01/2010
STATEMENT of Proposed Statement of Uncontroverted Facts and Conclusions of Law MOTION for Summary Adjudication as to Patent Infringement by Defendants Myspace, Inc. and Facebook, Inc.[37] filed by Plaintiffs Troy K Javaher, Frank M Weyer. (Weyer, Frank)

41 - Filed: 09/02/2010
Entered: 09/03/2010
ORDER by Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer: granting [35] Request to Substitute Attorney E. Daniel Robinson of Covington & Burling, LLP, for Defendant MySpace Inc., as as attorney of record in place and stead of Christopher P Broderick, Andrew V Devkar, and Richard C. P. De Bodo of Hogan Lovells US LLP. (lom)

42 - Filed: 09/02/2010
Entered: 09/03/2010
ORDER by Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer: granting [36] Application to Appear Pro Hac Vice by Attorney Kevin B. Collins of Covington & Burling LLP, on behalf of Defendant MySpace Inc, designating Robert D. Fram as local counsel. (Fee Paid 9/1/10) (lom)

43 - Filed & Entered: 09/07/2010
JOINT REPORT of Early Meeting of Counsel Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 26 filed by Defendants Facebook Inc., MySpace Inc. (Knauss, Daniel)

46 - Filed: 09/13/2010
Entered: 09/20/2010
MINUTES SCHEDULING CONFERENCE (held & completed) before Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer. Court and counsel discuss the status of the case. Counsel requests that the matter be stayed until the reexam is concluded. The Court Grants the request. Counsel are order to prepared and submit a proposed order. Court Reporter: Margaret Babykin. (lom)

44 - Filed & Entered: 09/15/2010
NOTICE OF LODGING filed re MOTION to Stay Case pending Reexamination of the '122 Patent[29] (Attachments: # (1) Proposed Order Staying Case)(Knauss, Daniel)

45 - Filed: 09/16/2010
Entered: 09/17/2010
ORDER STAYING CASE re [29] by Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer. Court hereby Orders: (A) that this action is STAYED; (B) that the stay shall continue until the Inter Partes re-examination proceeding currently before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (U.S. Serial No. 95/001,411) has been completed; (C) that while the stay is in place, no further pleadings shall be filed, nor any action, including discovery, be taken, relating to the Motion for Summary Adjudication filed by Plaintiffs on September 01, 2010; and (D) that the parties shall keep the Court informed and updated regarding developments in the re-examination proceeding by filing ECF notices attaching documents concerning the re-examination. In the ordinary course, such notices shall be filed by the Plaintiffs. If the Plaintiffs have not filed a document within seven days of its entry in the re-examination docket, the Defendants shall file the document with the Court. (lom)

47 - Filed & Entered: 10/12/2010
NOTICE Notice of Action in Reexamination Proceedings filed by Plaintiff Troy K Javaher, Frank M Weyer. (Weyer, Frank)

48 - Filed & Entered: 11/17/2010
NOTICE Notice of Filing in Reexamination filed by Plaintiff Frank M Weyer. (Weyer, Frank)

49 - Filed & Entered: 12/17/2010
NOTICE OF ACTION IN REEXAMINATION PROCEEDINGS FOR U.S. PATENT NO. 7,644,122 filed by Defendant Facebook Inc.. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit A, Part 1, # (2) Exhibit A, Part 2)(Knauss, Daniel)

50 - Filed & Entered: 04/19/2011
NOTICE Notice of Filing in Reexamination filed by plaintiff Frank M Weyer. (Weyer, Frank)

51 - Filed: 04/26/2011
Entered: 04/27/2011
MINUTE ORDER IN CHAMBERS by Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer: The Court on its own motion sets a Telephonic Conference call for Monday, May 2, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. (ys)

52 - Filed: 05/02/2011
Entered: 05/03/2011
MINUTES TELEPHONIC CONFERENCE CALL (Held and Completed) before Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer. Court and counsel discuss the status of the re-exam of the patent. The Court continues this Telephonic Conference Call to Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. Noon. Court Reporter: Bridget Montero. (lom)

53 - Filed & Entered: 05/12/2011
NOTICE Notice of Filing of Documents in Patent Reexamination filed by plaintiff Frank M Weyer. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit Response to ACP filed by Plaintiffs, # (2) Exhibit Petition to Patent Commissioner, # (3) Exhibit Exhibit A to Petition to Commissioner, # (4) Exhibit Exhibit B to Petition to Commissioner)(Weyer, Frank)

54 - Filed & Entered: 05/19/2011
NOTICE Notice of Filing of Documents in Patent Reexamination filed by plaintiff Frank M Weyer. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit Abridged Response to ACP as Filed)(Weyer, Frank)

55 - Filed & Entered: 06/21/2011
NOTICE Notice of Filing in Reexamination Proceedings filed by plaintiff Troy K Javaher, Frank M Weyer. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit)(Weyer, Frank)

56 - Filed & Entered: 07/11/2011
Terminated: 08/23/2011
NOTICE OF MOTION AND MOTION to Dismiss Case filed by Defendant Facebook Inc.. Motion set for hearing on 8/8/2011 at 11:00 AM before Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer. (Attachments: # (1) Proposed Order re Motion for Administrative Dismissal)(Knauss, Daniel)

57 - Filed & Entered: 07/11/2011
MEMORANDUM in Support of MOTION to Dismiss Case[56] filed by Defendant Facebook Inc.. (Knauss, Daniel)

58 - Filed & Entered: 07/11/2011
DECLARATION of Daniel J. Knauss in support of MOTION to Dismiss Case[56] filed by Defendant Facebook Inc.. (Knauss, Daniel)

59 - Filed & Entered: 07/15/2011
MEMORANDUM in Opposition to MOTION to Dismiss Case[56] ; Declaration of Frank M. Weyer; Exhibits 1-6 filed by Plaintiffs Troy K Javaher, Frank M Weyer. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit Exhibit 1 to Weyer Decl., # (2) Exhibit Exhibit 2 to Weyer Decl., # (3) Exhibit Exhibit 3 to Weyer Decl, # (4) Exhibit Exhibit 4 to Weyer Decl., # (5) Exhibit Exhibit 5 to Weyer Decl., # (6) Exhibit Exhibit 6 to Weyer Decl.)(Weyer, Frank)

60 - Filed & Entered: 07/21/2011
Joint STIPULATION to Reschedule HEARING ON MOTION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE DISMISSAL filed by Defendant Facebook Inc.. (Attachments: # (1) Proposed Order)(Knauss, Daniel)

63 - Filed: 07/22/2011
Entered: 07/26/2011
ORDER Granting Stipulation to Reschedule [60] by Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer. The Court ORDERS: That the hearing on Defendants' Motion for Administrative Dismissal [56] is consolidated into the telephonic case status conference set for August 2, 2011. (lom)

61 - Filed & Entered: 07/23/2011
NOTICE Notice of Action in Reexamination filed by Plaintiff Frank M Weyer. (Attachments: # (1) Appendix Reexam Decision on Petition to Waive Page Limit)(Weyer, Frank)

62 - Filed & Entered: 07/25/2011
REPLY In Support of MOTION to Dismiss Case[56] filed by Defendant Facebook Inc.. (Knauss, Daniel)

64 - Filed: 08/02/2011
Entered: 08/03/2011
MINUTES: TELEPHONIC CONFERENCE CALL (Held and Completed) and MOTION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE DISMISSAL (fld 7/11/11) [56]: The case is called and appearances are made. Court and counsel discuss the status of the case. The Motion for Administrative Dismissal is taken under submission. The parties are Ordered to notify the Court regarding any notification from the patent office. Plaintiffs Motion for Summary Adjudication of Patent Infringement against Defendants Myspace, Inc. and Facebook, Inc. (Fld 9/1/10) [37] is denied without prejudice by Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer Court Reporter: Kathy Stride. (ir)

65 - Filed & Entered: 08/22/2011
NOTICE Notice of Activities in Reexamination Proceedings filed by plaintiff Frank M Weyer. (Attachments: # (1) Exhibit, # (2) Exhibit)(Weyer, Frank)

66 - Filed & Entered: 08/22/2011
Terminated: 08/23/2011
REQUEST for Order for Administratively Dismissing Case [Proposed] filed by Defendant Facebook Inc.. (Knauss, Daniel)

67 - Filed & Entered: 08/22/2011
Terminated: 08/23/2011
REQUEST for Order for Removing Case from Active Docket filed by plaintiff Frank M Weyer. (Weyer, Frank)

68 - Filed: 08/23/2011
Entered: 08/25/2011
ORDER ADMINISTRATIVELY DISMISSING CASE [56] by Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer. The Court hereby Orders: (A) that this action is administratively dismissed without prejudice; (B) that the Court shall retain jurisdiction; and (C) that this action shall be reinstated with this Court in the unlikely event that Plaintiffs obtain claims from the patent-in-suit following reexamination and appeals. ( MD JS-6. Case Terminated ) (lom)

69 - Filed: 08/23/2011
Entered: 08/25/2011
REPORT ON THE DETERMINATION OF AN ACTION Regarding a Patent or Trademark. (Closing) (Attachments: # (1) Order) (lom)