Help us defeat a patent troll claiming “network isolation with cloud networks” was invented in 2017
We’re excited to launch another Cloud Native Heroes Challenge contest in which you can earn swag, a ticket to attend KubeCon+CloudNativeCon, and/or a US $3,000 cash prize by helping defend our ecosystem from patent trolls.
The Challenged Patent
We’re seeking information to invalidate Claim 1 of US Patent 11,178,104, asserted by patent troll Croga Innovations. This patent describes a host computer system designed to enhance network security. The primary goal is to securely access Internet-based cloud services through authenticated and firewalled isolation.
This patent potentially impacts all container technology and numerous open source projects including Kubernetes, containerd, Docker, Flatcar, and more.
Key Context
At a glance this seems like a relatively innocent patent. But let’s look at the patent in the context of recent technology history..
Here is claim 1 of the challenged patent:
| 1. A host computer system:a memory; anda processor configured to:implement a workspace, wherein the workspace is configured to enable operation of a first set of one or more applications or processes via a first memory space;implement an isolated computing environment, the isolated computing environment using a host operating system and comprising a sandboxed computing environment that uses a second memory space to enable operation of a second set of one or more applications or processes, wherein the isolated computing environment is configured to access an Internet-based cloud service via at least one application of the second set of one or more applications or processes;isolate the isolated computing environment from the workspace using an internal isolation firewall;authenticate the isolated computing environment with an authentication device; andcommunicate with a proxy server to access the Internet-based cloud service to allow communication between at least one application and the Internet-based cloud service when the isolated computing environment has been authenticated. |
If this sounds familiar to you you’re probably thinking “that sounds a lot like containers,” given the references to process, and namespaces, cgroups, etc. This patent was awarded in 2017. Kubernetes itself was created in 2014, Docker in 2013, and LXC (Linux Containers) were created in roughly 2008 by a group of engineers from IBM. Obviously the patent is so generic it could even be applied to virtual machines!
Call for Prior Art
“Prior art” is a legal term that refers to technical know-how that predated the patent application. Prior art can be used to invalidate or weaken a troll’s patent by demonstrating that the patented invention already existed and wasn’t “new” when the application for a patent was filed.
If you are aware of any publicly available materials demonstrating that know-how regarding all of the elements of the invention described above already existed prior to September 26, 2017 (the priority date of the challenged patent), please submit that evidence as “prior art” in this contest. However, please note that materials already listed in the “known references” tab of the Contest Description do not qualify and cannot be submitted in this contest.
Examples of materials that can be provided as prior art include:
- Open source documentation, including release notes
- Articles, books, and other publications
- Written records of presentations at tech conferences
- Product manuals or descriptions
- Standards and specification documents
- Any other publicly available documentation (in English) that existed prior to September 26, 2017
- Other patents with a priority date earlier than September 26, 2017
Instructions for Participating
Please see our Participation Instructions and the Heroes Challenge program page for more information and step-by-step instructions for entering this contest. Remember, a variety of prizes are available, and all entrants will receive a free Cloud Native Hero t-shirt.
If you have questions or would like to request a 1:1 help session where a member of our Heroes Challenge team walks you through any aspect of the contest entry process, please message us at the CNCF slack channel #heroes-challenge or at heroes@cncf.io.
Know of Prior Art but don’t want to enter the Contest?
If you would like to inform us of prior art without entering the contest, please email us at heroes@cncf.io.
About Our Co-Host for the Cloud Native Heroes Challenge
CNCF is co-hosting this program with Unified Patents, the Linux Foundation’s partner in patent troll deterrence since 2019. Unified Patents is the only organization that uses offensive community-driven strategies to deter patent trolls.