软件相关方法专利多主体分别实施侵权的责任分析

以软件控制并由多方主体分别实施的方法发明在物联网时代日益重要,但此类方法专利的保护在实践中存在着困难。针对方法专利的多主体分别实施侵权,采取有意思联络的共同侵权、以主动或明知为主观条件的间接侵权、承担连带责任的无意思联络的数人侵权等方式均难以准确判定并追究行为人的侵权责任,为权利人提供及时有效的救济。对此,可考虑在专利法中制定专门条款,或以司法解释明确规则,吸收"控制或指导"理论和实践经验,淡化各方的主观意思联络要件、强调其行为的客观关联,追究实施方法专利流程中关键步骤的主要控制人,尤其是明知相关软件在他人的方法专利实施中具有关键作用而将其内置于自己生产销售的设备中的行为人之直接侵权责任。

An Analysis on the Divided Infringement Liability of Software Related Method Patent

Method patents which are controlled by computer programs and executed by multiple parties are becoming increasingly important in the IoT Era,yet the protection of such patents is difficult in practice.Regarding the divided infringement targeting method patents,it is hard to accurately find and hold the doer accountable no matter by invoking contributory infringement with conscious connection,indirect infringement featured by subjective requirement of voluntariness or knowing,or infringement by multiple tortfeasors without conscious connection and bear joint liability,in order to provide sufficient and timely remedy for right owners.It is hereto suggested to provide special articles in Patent Law,or clarify relevant rules by judicial interpretation,to internalize the theory and practical experiences of "control or direct",diluting the subjective requirement of conscious connection by parties,stressing the objective connection between the behavior of doers,investigating the major controller of the key steps in executing the method patent process.The doer who is fully aware the computer programs are vital in the execution of other’s method patent,and knowingly install it in the equipment produced and sold by himself should bear direct infringement liability.