Ask HN: A patent troll is targeting my transit app

219 points

13 years ago

I created a transit app for the TTC in Toronto. (https://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/ttc-watch-for-toronto/id505286932?mt=8)

Yesterday, I received a package from Lemer & Company representing Dovden Investments, Ltd. The package claims that my app infriges their patents.

Patents:

http://brevets-patents.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/cpd/eng/patent/2283239/summary.html

http://brevets-patents.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/cpd/eng/patent/2363556/summary.html

I am reaching out to HN because I know there are many transit apps out there that have the same functionality: letting users know when the next bus will arrive using a third-party API (from NextBus, or GTFS Realtime for example).

So, if anyone has dealt with Dovden or has had a similar experience (or ArrivalStar in the US), please contact me at [email protected]

More details: My apps use the API provided by NextBus who apparently licensed these patents. The patents describe a system that includes a vehicle unit (GPS) and a central server that processes GPS locations, neither of which are part of my app. They offered a "discounted" licensing fee, but my apps have generated income nowhere near the amount.

Please upvote for a better chance of finding other transit app developers.

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