| Q:
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Tell me more about BuildingLink’s patent.
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| A:
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BuildingLink’s patent is U.S. Patent No. 8,271,321 for "Apparatus and Method for Providing Building Management Information."
It was originally filed on June 5, 2000.
The ’321 patent discloses and claims many unique features related to collaborative real estate management. For example, some of these
innovative features currently included in the BuildingLink software platform relate to front desk instructions, permissions to give access to a unit, key-holding
information, service requests, electronic libraries of documents, notifications, public displays, and/or data input by tenants.
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| Q:
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What are the implications of BuildingLink owning the ’321 patent?
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| A:
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By owning the ’321 patent, BuildingLink owns the exclusive rights to make, use, and sell the unique features recited in
the claims of the patent (i.e., the sentences numbered 1-41 listed at the very end of the patent). These claims define the legal scope of BuildingLink’s
invention
and thus define the extent to which BuildingLink’s exclusive rights apply.
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| Q:
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What are the implications if one of BuildingLink’s competitors practices any of the inventions
claimed in the ’321 patent?
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| A:
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If an entity without BuildingLink’s permission practices, or makes, sells or uses a product or service that practices any
claim in BuildingLink’s ’321 patent, then it infringes the patent. If this is the case, BuildingLink may pursue legal action against the infringer to
stop it
from infringing the patent and/or to seek compensation for the infringing activity.
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| Q:
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Where can I go to read the full patent text?
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| A:
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The full text of the patent can be found online here, or you can view/download
a PDF copy here.
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| Q:
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Is BuildingLink willing to license rights to practice the inventions claimed in the ’321 patent?
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| A:
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BuildingLink welcomes inquiries regarding its patent, and is happy to discuss potential licensing opportunities. Anyone who
would like to discuss these opportunities in more detail can contact Rina Furst via e-mail at rina@buildinglink.com
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| Q:
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Does BuildingLink have other patent applications pending?
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| A:
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Yes. BuildingLink currently has other patent applications pending. Some of these applications claim priority to the patent
application that resulted in the ’321 patent and seek protection for additional innovative features of the BuildingLink system.
One application discloses and claims features generally related to managing service requests and, more particularly, to methods and systems
for managing service requests that enable collaborative information sharing between an occupant of a building and an individual associated with building operations.
Another application discloses and claims features generally related to package custody management and, more particularly, to methods and
systems that enable building personnel to manage inbound receipt, custody tracking, and occupant receipt of package deliveries for occupants in a building.
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