論我國資通訊企業面臨美國專利蟑螂(Patent Troll)的困境與解方

專利蟑螂（patent troll）本身不實施專利，亦不從事商品製造，而透過四處收購專利後，積極向目標企業發送授權信或警告函，達到索取權利金的目的，或是透過大舉興訟的方式，間接使目標企業在訴訟中妥協和解，這樣的角色在各項產業中屢見不鮮。本文從上述問題出發，透過文獻探討，分析專利蟑螂的性質與爭議，專利蟑螂之商業模式不但未能有效落實專利法鼓勵創新、促進科學進步的立法意旨，反而使營運企業為此疲於奔命，減低企業之創新研發量能，亦形成一種社會資源的浪費。專利蟑螂利用制度巧取利益之行為可能已構成權利濫用，本文進一步探究其所衍生的問題，同時帶出企業營運上所面臨的隱憂。美國為專利蟑螂訴訟最為猖獗的國家，故本文將以此作為探討中心，探究我國資通訊企業面對專利蟑螂時所可能面臨之難題，透過案例分析與深度訪談窺探企業內部所遭遇之實質困境、企業現行的應對作法，並嘗試從既有判決中梳理法院見解，歸納出各項抗辯於案件適用之可行性，為我國資通訊企業擬訂出較佳之防禦策略。同時本文亦對現行美國司法訴訟制度進行評析，認為專利蟑螂於美國橫行部分歸因於專利審查品質寬鬆、些許法院對於專利權人特別友好、美國律師費及訴訟成本高昂等因素，無形中孕育出較有利於專利蟑螂的局面，若能針對制度上進行調整，將有助於遏止專利蟑螂有恃無恐地對營運企業發動攻擊。

關鍵字

專利蟑螂；非實施專利實體；專利訴訟策略；專利權濫用

並列摘要

Patent troll refers to a patentee that does not practice the patent by itself, and not engage in making products either. Instead, after acquiring patents through various channels, they actively send demend letters or warning letters to the target enterprise, in order to obtain the royalties. Patent troll typically make enterprises compromise to settle by launching a litigation. It occurs frequently in several industries. As noted above, this essay will start from literature research, analyze the controversy issue over patent troll. The business model of patent troll not only against the purpose of the patent system, but also cause lots of waste of social resources. In addition to the financial impacts, it can also harm the operation and innovation of the enterprise. Therefore, the way of patent troll obtaining benefits seems like an abuse of patent rights. This essay will further discuss the problems arising from patent troll, and the worries faced by the enterprises. Compared to other countries, patent troll litigation happened more frequently in the United States. Thus, this essay will focus on discussing the dilemma Taiwanese ICT enterprises’s encounter when they face a U.S. patent troll lawsuit. Find out the strategies that adopt by the enterprises through the interview, and sort out the court's opinions as well. At the same time, this essay will summarize the feasibility of different answers, try to give some advices for the Taiwanese ICT enterprises. The reason why patent troll problem is more serciously in United States, partly owing to the loose quality of patent examination, and some courts are particularly friendly to the patent holders. High legal fees and litigation costs also rise the settle desire of the enterprise. These situations are more favorable for patent troll. If some part of legal system can be adjusted moderately, it will lower patent troll’s temptation of launching attacks on operating enterprises arbitrarily.