Bluebonnet Internet Media Services, LLC v. Pandora Media, LLC

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

BLUEBONNET INTERNET MEDIA Case No. 21-cv-08294-VC

SERVICES, LLC,

Plaintiff, ORDER GRANTING JUDGMENT ON

THE PLEADINGS

v. Re: Dkt. No. 111

PANDORA MEDIA, LLC,

Defendant.

Bluebonnet alleges that Pandora has infringed three of its patents, each of which describes essentially the same computer system for generating media playlists based on a user’s ratings. Certain claims further describe functions for sharing the playlists with another user. For purposes of this motion, the Court accepts Bluebonnet’s assertion that there are three representative claims: U.S. Patent No. 9,405,753, cl. 1; Patent No. 9,547,650, cl. 2; and Patent No. 9,779,095, cl. 72. Dkt. No. 116 at 3 n.2. These claims may capture the core of a good business idea. But they are directed to an abstract idea and lack an inventive concept—and are therefore invalid. Alice Corp. v. CLS Bank International, 573 U.S. 208, 217-218 (2014). Pandora’s motion for judgment on the pleadings is granted. Pandora’s motions for leave to file an amended answer and for summary judgment are denied as moot. Dkt. Nos. 126, 127. A. The claims are directed…