Netflix, Inc. v. Blockbuster, Inc.
Opinion
Opinion
Alsup, J.
CLAIM-CONSTRUCTION ORDER
INTRODUCTION
This is a claim-construction order for United States Patent Nos. 6,584,450 and 7,024,381 asserted herein. This order addresses the seven phrases selected by the parties. A technology tutorial, a full round of briefing, and a claim-construction hearing preceded this order. A tentative claim-construction order issued on February 9, 2007. The order invited parties to submit responses and short proposed edits to the order. Those responses were taken into consideration in this final order.
STATEMENT
Plaintiff Netflix, Inc., is the holder of the two patents in suit, which were drawn to methods for renting items, in particular for ordering digital video discs via the Internet for transmission and return by mail. Netflix’s first patent, U.S. Patent No. 6,584,450 (“the '450 patent”), issued on June 23, 2003. Its second patent, U.S. Patent No. 7,024,381 (“the '381 patent”), issued on April 4, 2006. Both patents were assigned to Netflix.
Since 1999, Netflix has rented movies on DVDs on a subscription basis through its website, www.netflix.com. The DVDs have been sent and returned by mail. (This case does not involve transmission of digital movie…