Game and Technology Co., Ltd. v. Activision Blizzard Inc.
Opinion
Appellees Activision Blizzard Inc. and Riot Games, Inc. (collectively, "Activision")
*1373
sought inter partes review ("IPR") of claims 1-11 ("the Challenged Claims") of Appellant Game and Technology Co.'s ("GAT")
GAT appeals. We have jurisdiction pursuant to
BACKGROUND
I. The '743 Patent
Entitled "Method and System for Providing Character Having Game Item Functions," the '743 patent relates to the field of customizing Internet game characters in online games by combining game items with layers of an avatar in the game. '743 patent col. 1 ll. 19-21.
1
Specifically, the '743 patent discloses a method and system for providing "game item[s]" to Internet game characters and generating a type of avatar the patent refers to as a "gamvatar" that is equipped with particular game items.
Independent claim 1 is representative and recites:
A method for generating a character associated with a character generating system comprising a gamvatar provider, a gamvatar controller, and a game server, the method comprising:
providing an avatar to a user accessing an avatar shop via a network, the avatar comprising multiple layers for displaying avatar functions or performing game item functions by using the respective layers ; and *1374 combining each of a plurality of game item functions with the avatar by adding the respective layers to the avatar to create a gamvatar associated with the plurality of the game item functions,
wherein the gamvatar is configured to be used to perform the plurality of the game item functions and each of the plurality of game item functions being combined with the respective layers is exhausted in response to detection of each time of using the each of the plurality of game item functions associated with playing a game provided by the game server.
II. The Relevant Prior Art
A. Diablo II Manual
A video game called Diablo II was sold with a user manual ("Diablo II Manual"). J.A. 4354-415. Diablo II is an action, role-playing game, and the Diablo II Manual describes the operation of Diablo II. J.A. 4354-56. The Diablo II Manual includes pictures of a screen, or screenshots, as they would appear during gameplay. J.A. 4354. The Diablo II Manual describes a player customizing a character by equipping it with game items such as armor and weapons. J.A. 4365-66. For example, javelins are among the items described by the manual that "can inflict great damage when thrown." J.A. 4413. Similarly, the Diablo II Manual discloses that potions are "effective weapons when placed in glass bottles and lobbed from a distance into groups of enemies." J.A. 4413; see J.A. 4367 (explaining that "[s]ome potions can be used as weapons"). Additionally, players can protect their avatars by "[w]earing stronger armor [that] will make an opponent less likely to land a damaging blow on [their] character." J.A. 4413; see 4413-14. As such, the Diablo II Manual discloses that the player can "equip weapons, armor, or other wearable items" by "pick[ing] up the item from [their] inventory and drop[ping] it onto the appropriate location on their character." J.A. 4366. These game items are all displayed virtually during gameplay in the top of an "[i]nventory screen," J.A. 4365, which includes a rectangular grid "near the bottom of the screen," that is the "character's backpack." J.A. 4366.
There are multiple ways of playing Diablo II: (1) as a "single player"; (2) on the website "Battle.net"; or (3) in "other multi-player" mode. J.A. 4358 (capitalization modified). Battle.net and other multi-player networks are the "two multi-player options on the main menu." J.A. 4374 (capitalization modified). The Diablo II manual discloses that "Battle.net is Blizzard Entertainment's free, on[ ]line gaming network [which] ... offers a place where gamers can meet, chat, and adventure together." J.A. 4374. 2 It states that "Battle.net is the easiest and fastest way to play Blizzard games on[ ]line" and, once a user is on Battle.net, she "can find literally thousands of other gamers to team up with (or compete against)" for gameplay. J.A. 4374. Finally, the Diablo II Manual defines "[a] Realm [a]s a Diablo II game server that is hosted and maintained by Blizzard" and it states that "[t]here are several Realms on Battle.net." J.A. 4374. The Diablo II Manual discloses that "[r]ealm *1375 [c]haracters are played exclusively on Diablo II Realms over Battle.net and cannot play in Single Player, Open, or TCP/IP [ 3 ] games." J.A. 4374. According to the Diablo II Manual, if it "is [a player's] first time logging onto Battle.net with Diablo II, [she] will be asked to create a character," but "[i]f [the player] ha[s] previously created multiple Realm characters, [she] can choose which character [she] wish[es] to play from the Character Selection screen." J.A. 4375. The Diablo II Manual explains that "[o]nce you have logged in to Battle.net and selected a character, you are placed into one of Battle.net's Diablo II Realm Chat Channels" where "character portraits, representing other players, appear at the bottom of the screen." J.A. 4375.
B. Rogers
Entitled "Systems and Methods for a Role-Playing Game Having a Customizable Avatar and Differentiated Instant Messaging Environment," U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0137015 A1 ("Rogers") (J.A. 4570-605) relates to online, interactive games or instant messaging environments where the player is represented by a customizable avatar. J.A. 4570. Rogers discloses that players in a game can use virtual resources to customize their avatars and to change the avatars' appearance by adding "facial expressions, bodily movements, animations performed by the avatars, or clothing or accessories worn by the avatars." J.A. 4589. Rogers explains that avatar customization uses graphical layering techniques using a "graphics sub-system 340." J.A. 4596. This sub-system "comprises a [three-dimensional ('3D') ] avatar component 342" that "addresses several significant problems associated with displaying 3D objects using current high-end graphics cards." J.A. 4596. Importantly, Rogers teaches layering techniques to customize the avatar "since the system ... uniquely allows users to place clothing on the avatar and further allows clothing to be layered, the 3D objects (body and clothing) must be layered to avoid a first image from visibly bleeding through when a subsequent image is placed over the first image." J.A. 4596-97.
DISCUSSION
GAT challenges the PTAB's construction of two terms, "gamvatar" and "layers,"
see
Appellant's Br. 18-22, as well as its determination that the Challenged Claims would have been obvious,
see
I. Standard of Review
"We review the PTAB's factual findings for substantial evidence and its legal conclusions de novo."
Redline Detection, LLC v. Star Envirotech, Inc.
,
II. Claim Construction
A. Legal Standard
At the time it issued the Final Written Decision, the PTAB gave "[a] claim ... its broadest reasonable construction in light of the specification of the patent in which it appears."
B. The PTAB Properly Construed the "Gamvatar" and "Layers" Terms
1. "Gamvatar"
The PTAB determined "that the 'gamvatar' of the '743 patent is a combination of 'the conventional avatar with the game item function,' rather than a combination of a 'conventional gamvatar' with a game item function, as suggested by " GAT.
Activision
,
The '743 patent 's claims and specification teach that "gamvatar" is not limited to meaning
concurrently usable online and in the game
. We begin our analysis with the claim language.
In re Power Integrations, Inc.,
The broader specification similarly demonstrates that "gamvatar" is not limited to concurrent use online and in-game and is actually broader in scope.
5
For example, the specification explains that "the gamvatar according to the embodiments of the present invention combines the conventional avatar with the game item function" and, therefore, "the gamvatar described in the embodiments of the present invention is substantially an avatar that is capable of performing game item functions."
2. "Layers"
The PTAB construed the term "layers" to mean that " 'layers'
encompasses
'graphics regions for displaying graphical objects' and 'constructs for holding graphics,' " as proposed by GAT.
Activision
,
*1378 should have construed "layers" to mean "graphics regions for displaying graphical objects" because " 'layers' means 'constructs' for displaying graphical objects." Id . at 22. We disagree with GAT.
We begin our analysis with the claim language.
In re Power Integrations,
The specification further supports the PTAB's construction by explaining that there may be several layers for displaying graphics on an avatar and other layers for displaying "additional items or background" that may be displayed separately from the avatar. '743 patent col. 2 l. 65-col. 3 l. 4. For example, Figure 5 of the '743 patent shows two embodiments of the "gamvatar" created by combining the avatar 510 with one game item function 520.
The prosecution history confirms the PTAB's construction of the claims. During prosecution of the '743 patent, an examiner rejected all then-pending claims over Rogers either alone or in combination with other prior art, including a webpage describing Diablo II. J.A. 6022. The Examiner allowed the Challenged Claims only after the independent claims were amended to overcome Rogers by adding the limitation reciting a "plurality of game item functions being combined with the respective layers is exhausted in response to detection of each time of using the each of the plurality of game item functions." J.A. 4334;
see
J.A. 4341 (explaining the exhausted limitation). As such, the prosecution history demonstrates that the claims
*1379
do not require the layers to be displayed on the avatar because the gamvatar is used to perform the game item functions alone or each of the game item functions in combination with the respective layers based on the "exhausted" limitation.
See
Shire Dev., LLC v. Watson Pharm., Inc
.,
GAT's primary counterargument is unavailing. GAT asserts "the Diablo II Manual does not disclose a gamvatar having 'layers for performing game item functions,' " meaning the proper construction requires the "layers" displaying graphical objects on the gamvatar. Appellant's Br. 26-27 (capitalization modified and ellipsis omitted). However, the PTAB correctly explained that "layers" "encompasses graphics regions for displaying graphical objects" and "constructs for holding graphics" because the '743 patent describes the display of items in various layers and regions.
Activision
,
III. Obviousness
A. Legal Standard
A patent claim is invalid "if the differences between the subject matter sought to be patented and the prior art are such that the subject matter as a whole would have been obvious at the time the invention was made to a [person having ordinary skill in the art ('PHOSITA') ]."
B. Substantial Evidence Supports the PTAB's Findings Regarding Obviousness.
The PTAB held that the Challenged Claims would have been obvious "over the Diablo II Manual alone and also over the Diablo II Manual in combination with Rogers."
Activision
,
Substantial evidence supports the PTAB's conclusion that the Diablo II Manual discloses that the gamvatar can be used on Battle.net, which is distinct from standalone games, and that there are multiple layers representing different graphical regions in the specific game. First, the Diablo II Manual discloses that characters represent a user in a game and on Battle.net, which is "[GAT]'s free, on[ ]line gaming network." J.A. 4374. The Challenged Claims "provid[e] an avatar to a user accessing an avatar shop via a network" where the avatar has "multiple layers for displaying avatar functions or performing game item functions by using the respective layers." '743 patent col. 11 l. 60-col. 12 l. 11. The Diablo II Manual explains that a user "can play [m]ulti-player games on the Internet over Battle.net." J.A. 4358. When a user logs onto Battle.net, she must create a character or choose a previously created character to play the game. J.A. 4374-75; see J.A. 2035. The character then represents the user on Battle.net, which is separate from the games themselves. See J.A. 4375 ("Once you have logged in to Battle.net and selected a character, you are placed into one of Battle.net's Diablo II Realm Chat Channels ... [where] character portraits, representing other players, appear at the bottom of the screen."). The Diablo II Manual also explains that when in the Battle.net chat channels a user "can meet and talk to other players and join or *1381 create multi-player games." J.A. 4375 (emphasis added). Because players can "join or create" games from Battle.net, the PTAB properly determined that the Diablo II Manual renders the Challenged Claims obvious because Battle.net is distinct from the games and not in a specific game.
Second, the Diablo II Manual teaches "layers" that display graphical items and "perform the plurality of game item functions." The disclosed layers in the Diablo II Manual display game items and perform the game item functions. See J.A. 4411-15. For example, the Diablo II Manual discloses "layers" for both displaying and using game item functions and states that the "[i]nventory screen contains several boxes representing the different areas of your character that can hold equipment [and] ... [t]he rectangular grid at the bottom of the [i]nventory represents your backpack." J.A. 4365. These boxes disclose multiple layers of the game because they disclose multiple graphics regions for displaying graphical objects. See J.A. 4071-74 (explaining, by Activision's expert, that "[t]he[ ] functionalities [of the avatar with multiple layers] are implemented through the 'Inventory screen' "). Additionally, the Diablo II Manual also lists "javelins" and "throwing potions" among the "weapons" list in the game. J.A. 4413. The Diablo II Manual teaches using various "equipment areas" on a character such as the body "where [a user] equip[s] body armor to better protect [her] character" and a left arm "where [a user] normally equip[s] a shield." J.A. 4365. According to Activision's expert "the 'slots' or 'boxes' [of the inventory screen] would necessarily teach a [PHOSITA] an exemplary method of achieving said avatar [by] ... creating 'slots' or 'boxes' and layering onto those areas game item functions like weapons and armor items using the respective layers." J.A. 4081. Thus, the Diablo II Manual describes multiple layers used within the game. Similarly, the Diablo II Manual provides that there are "numerous weapons available to those who wish to keep their limbs intact, some better than others for dealing with threats." J.A. 4411. The Diablo II Manual describes one way of "attack[ing]" as when a user "position[s] the cursor over the monster [she] wish[es] to attack ... [t]he monster glows slightly [so the user] ... can always tell which monster [she] ha[s] targeted for [her] attack ." J.A. 4356 (emphases added); see '743 patent col. 6 ll. 18-21 (identifying "attacking" as an example of a "game item function of the gamvatar"). Therefore, the weapons disclosed in the Diablo II Manual are used to "perform the plurality of game item functions" and the layers of multiple graphical regions in the Challenged Claims are taught by the Diablo II Manual.
GAT's counterargument lacks merit. GAT's assertion that "a single reference ... cannot support obviousness," Appellant's Br. 23, is wrong as a matter of law. "[A] patent can be obvious in light of a single prior art reference if it would have been obvious to modify that reference to arrive at the patented invention."
Arendi S.A.R.L. v. Apple Inc
.,
CONCLUSION
We have considered GAT's remaining arguments and find them unpersuasive.
*1382 Accordingly, the Final Written Decision of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's Patent Trial and Appeal Board is
AFFIRMED
According to the '743 patent, "[t]he character may represent an animation character for performing the user's role in cyber[ ]space, includes an avatar, and supports the user's desire[d] identity in cyber[ ]space." '743 patent col. 2 ll. 20-22.
The PTAB found that "in a game" is different than playing "on ... Battle.net." J.A. 2035-36. GAT does not dispute this distinction. See generally Appellant's Br.
"TCP/IP provides a network-independent transport layer while web clients ... and servers ... eliminate operating system dependencies." J.A. 4595.
A patent's prosecution history "consists of the complete record of the proceedings before the [US]PTO," which provides "evidence of how the [US]PTO and the inventor understood the patent."
Phillips v. AWH Corp.
,
"[T]he specification is
always
highly relevant to the claim construction analysis and is, in fact, the single best guide to the meaning of a disputed term."
See
Trs. of Columbia Univ. v. Symantec Corp.,
GAT also asserts that a "gamvatar" must represent a user on a website outside a game because "an avatar represent[s] a user in cyberspace." Appellant's Br. 19. This is a new argument on appeal.
See
J.A. 6166-207 (Patent Owner Response). Therefore, this argument is waived.
Singleton v. Wulff
,
Congress amended § 103 when it enacted the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act ("AIA"). Pub. L. No. 112-29, § 3(c),
Reference
- Full Case Name
- GAME AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., Appellant v. ACTIVISION BLIZZARD INC., Riot Games, Inc., Appellees
- Cited By
- 8 cases
- Status
- Published