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Thanks, NoCheddar
This looks like a contract extension
Telephone Payment Service
United KingdomSalfordH M Revenue & Customs
Winner: PCI-PAL PLC|contractSigned
Contract for the direct provision of secure payment services (Agent Assist) to the Buyer for use in its contact centres. The initial term of the contract is 12 months; however there is the option to extend this contract for 2 periods of up to 12 months each...
£2,751,977.00 Dec 22, 2022 Feb 13, 2026
https://tenderpipeline.thorntonandlowe.com/search?page=1&winners=[%22PCI%20Pal%22]&retenderdatedefault=any
Telephone Payment Service
A Contract Award Notice
by H M REVENUE & CUSTOMS
https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2022/W30/779550903
Hello All,
I've heard back from PCIP and their lawyers have said that the ruling could be between two and three weeks from the hearing, though that's not set in stone.
On the DWP tender, PCIP can handle the outbound calls part of the tender.
Expert report
2 November 2023
Long interesting article. Part 1
1.3. Within your expertise
It may sound obvious, but experts must keep to their sphere of expertise. If an expert is minded to comment on issues that relate to other disciplines, it is important to qualify their comments by deferring to the discipline of an expert who may better assist the court. This avoids any criticism of overreach. In the recent patent case of Sycurio Ltd v PCI-Pal PLC [2023], one of the claimant’s experts, while an acknowledged expert in relation to part of the claim, was not an expert on several technical points addressed in her report. Under cross-examination, she was forced to make uncomfortable concessions, including admitting she had not understood key concepts and had relied upon “research” to try and understand technical documents. Unsurprisingly, the court gave no weight to any of her opinions on matters outside her direct expertise. Her legal team was forced to abandon elements of her evidence during the trial.
https://www.stewartslaw.com/news/preparation-presentation-expert-reports-part-1/
Victor,
I've emailed James, got an automatic reply that he's on paid leave. Will post if I hear back from him next week.
On the Gov.UK tender site it states that the contract notice will be 2/1/24.
Hi NoCheddar
It would just be a guess. Best to ask PCIP.
PCIP & ECK adding products
"Further, as anticipated, we are beginning to launch an array of new products and features. This has included the launch of our AI-powered, enhanced Automatic Speech Recognition ("ASR") feature for our Agent Assist and IVR products. There are also a number of POCs in progress with partners for our new user interface and digital payment capabilities that we have already announced would be launched fully later this year"
https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/PCIP/detail-on-patent-case-outcome-trading-update-zd1oqi6092mxma2.html
------------------------------------------------------
Launch of updated Secure Digital Payments platform
17 Oct 2023
The new innovation in Eckoh's cloud platform broadens consumer choice across channels and digital payment methods, which enables contact centres to better serve customer needs at a time when consumers are increasingly looking to adopt an array of digital wallets and varied payment options.
We are seeing a significant shift among consumers towards alternative digital payments. This in turn creates opportunities for Eckoh as it protects a growing international client base and some of the world's largest enterprises engaging with contact centres. Commenting on its 2022 Digital Payments Consumer Survey, McKinsey said digital payments penetration had reached 89%*. What's more, 62% of respondents were now using two or more forms of digital payments, up from 51% the year before.
By using Eckoh's Secure Digital Payments platform, our clients' customers now have the freedom to combine their preferred contact channel with their favourite payment method - Apple Pay over WhatsApp, Pay by Bank via live chat, pay-later apps over the phone - and many other combinations.
In particular, the Secure Digital Payments platform will enable contact centres to better serve customer needs, extend their services to social media and third-party channels, increase payment volume capacity and speed, provide greater choice with pay-now or pay-later options and provide stronger authenticated security through methods such as fingerprint or facial recognition.
As well as supporting traditional secure card payments, Eckoh's Secure Digital Payments platform is also built to support all emerging payment methods that support evolving customer needs such as global 'super apps', cryptocurrencies, and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).
https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/ECK/launch-of-updated-secure-digital-payments-platform-dusnyqi1sl3gj50.html
Hi Victor,
Thanks for that update on the DWP contract. Looks like PCIP keep the contract until August then whoever wins the tender takes over.
I'm just wondering if the likes of PCIP and ECK can offer what the DWP require in the new tender.
"The new SCPS Contract is required to ensure continuing capability for DWP to receive customer payments in a PCI DSS compliant manner and provide all Outbound Telephone calls for the department."
In particular the provision of outbound calls.
What do you reckon?
Certainly a nice contract!!
The Department for Work and Pensions: Secure Card Payment Services Procurement
A Prior Information Notice
by DEPARTMENT FOR WORK AND PENSIONS
Published, 01 Nov 2023
Value, £0-£13M
Description
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for administering welfare, pensions, and child maintenance policy in the UK, serving around 20 million claimants. The DWP operates the largest contact centre in the UK government, providing support to customers from around 135 locations and offering specialist services such as debt recovery, card payments, and assistance for customers with complex needs.
This is a follow up to the previous PIN 2023/S 000-004912 dated 17th of February 2023 and following the market engagement that took place in March 2023 with regards to the provision of Secure Card Payment Services (SCPS) for the DWP. Following the completion of the review of the Request for Information responses the DWP is now proceeding to procure these services.
The current DWP provision allows business groups to receive customer payments in a Payment Card Industry, Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliant manner, including an Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR) capability to facilitate payments. The DWP service and SCPS contract currently supports approximately 9000 agents. The current SCPS contract also includes the routing of outbound calls via the PCI DSS compliant service provider.
DWP takes approximately 750,000 card payments per annum, totalling approximately £130M per annum. This is collected by two areas of DWP and Northern Ireland’s Department for Communities:
• Child Maintenance Group (CMG); and
• Debt Recovery.
DWP is planning to procure a new SCPS Contract that can meet the current and future needs of the service while providing value for money and service continuity. This contract will replace a current contract that enables Debt and Child Maintenance business groups to take customer payments using a Dual Tone Masking Frequency (DTMF) facility.
Under the new SCPS Contract the DWP has identified the following requirements, which may be subject to change before the issue of the Contract Notice:
• The ability to take customer payments using a Dual Tone Masking Frequency (DTMF) facility.
• The provision of up to 9000 SIP Licences, with an option to increase by 2000 SIP Licences. (Further detail on this potential increase will be provided in the procurement documents).
• The ability to take Inbound and make Outbound (Average 170 million minutes per annum) calls for any Business Group including any systems that take card payments across the whole network.
• The availability of a customer self-service Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR) solution.
More here
https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2023/W44/809828453
Is there a view on how long it takes to hear the conclusion/decision from the Markman hearing?
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
89 misc Transcript Tue 10/31 6:20 AM
TRANSCRIPT of Markman Hearing held on 10/24/2023 before Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr.. Court Reporter Cheryl A. Nuccio, telephone number 704-350-7494. NOTICE RE: REDACTION OF TRANSCRIPTS: The parties have 5 business days to file a Notice of Intent to Request Redaction and 21 calendar days to file a Redaction Request. If no notice is filed, this transcript will be made electronically available to the public without redaction after 90 calendar days. Transcript may be viewed at the court public terminal or purchased through the court reporter before the 90 day deadline. After that date it may be obtained through PACER. Policy at www.ncwd.uscourts.gov Release of Transcript Restriction set for 1/26/2024. (thh
https://www.pacermonitor.com/case/41847299/Semafone_Limited
Victor
Great and thanks. I will read with interest.
Lucretuis
This is from June 10 2012
Published by Ultra
Ultra Communications: An Overview (Low Resolution pdf, 165kB)
Ultra’s Network solutions for a call centre can be integrated very quickly for a new client in matter of only days instead of weeks or months.
Hosted and Network Solutions overview (Low Resolution pdf, 182kB)
For a number of years, there has been an alternative to the traditional approach of purchase and management of CPE Dialler and contact centre solutions...
Selecting Contact Centre Solutions (Low Resolution pdf, 171kB)
Decision makers and buyers should closely examine the offerings they are presented with, as well as the commitment and credentials of contact centre solution and technology providers.
Call Blending - Summary of Benefits (Low Resolution pdf, 168kB)
There are both direct and indirect cost savings with reduced overheads as you would need reduced numbers of staff to process the calls.
https://web.archive.org/web/20120610073313/http://www.ultraasp.net/Resources/White_Papers.aspx
--------------------------
White papers
This is from Feb 23 2013
https://web.archive.org/web/20130223180856/http://www.ultraasp.net/Resources/White_Papers.aspx
Data sheets
https://web.archive.org/web/20130223180836/http://www.ultraasp.net/Resources/DataSheets.aspx
Only some of the links work
Victor
I think those documents might be very helpful, in particular the one on PCI-DSS compliance. I can’t see any date on it but it is obviously from 2012 or later as there is a reference in the document to data breaches in 2011. Have you spotted any way of dating it more precisely?
Lucretuis
Excellent, thanks, for that.
Managed to find these Ultra Communications Documents
Ultracomms Cloud Solutions
https://docplayer.net/6927319-Ultracomms-cloud-solutions.html
--------------------
FOUR WAYS TO ACHIEVE PCI DSS COMPLIANCE
https://docplayer.net/8120158-Four-ways-to-achieve-pci-dss-compliance.html
-----------------------
USING CLOUD SERVICES TO INTEGRATE DIVERSE TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE AND IMPROVE SERVICE QUALITY
https://docplayer.net/582730-Using-cloud-services-to-integrate-diverse-technology-infrastructure-and-improve-service-quality.html
------------------------------
ADVANTAGES OF CLOUD ULTRA AN ULTRA COMMUNICATIONS WHITEPAPER CLOUD CONTACT CENTRE SOLUTIONS COMMUNICATIONS
https://docplayer.net/3845713-Advantages-of-cloud-ultra-an-ultra-communications-whitepaper-cloud-contact-centre-solutions-communications-www-ultraasp-net-44-0-207-965-0207.html
-----------------------
INBOUND ACD ULTRA AN ULTRA COMMUNICATIONS PRODUCT DATASHEET CLOUD CONTACT CENTRE SOLUTIONS COMMUNICATIONS
https://docplayer.net/14952812-Inbound-acd-ultra-an-ultra-communications-product-datasheet-cloud-contact-centre-solutions-communications-www-ultraasp-net-44-0-207-965-0207.html
Victor,
Thanks.
The dates of the questions raised of Eckoh in 2012 and 2013 about potentially infringing Semafone’s patents are interesting. For instance, tbe meeting with Laura Ashley in Rome was the same day the UK IPO had informed Semafone the patent would be granted, but a month before the patent was actually granted. This implies a campaign of “unjustified threats” (Eckoh’s phrase in the counterclaim) to potential Eckoh customers, even in anticipation of the formal grant of the patent.
The same modus operandi with a call from Lebara in October 2013 to inform Eckoh that Semafone had emailed Lebara to say that Eckoh was being sued for patent infringement by Eckoh. This was a month before the infringement proceedings were actually started in the High Court.
I now realise the Semafone web page with the alleged ‘Malicious Falsehood’ is publicly available:
https://www.ipo.gov.uk/p-ipsum/Document/ApplicationNumber/GB1020894.0/e913123d-d9de-4e7a-ab14-9bfccaff22c2/GB2473376-20140414-Letter%20%20Agentapplicant.pdf
I am working on the comment you mention, but so far without luck.
Lucretuis
It's very hard searching anything Eckoh. Believe me I've tried.
With Eckoh it may be a case of actions speak louder than words?
If anyone else would like a go
https://www.ipo.gov.uk/p-ipsum/Document/ApplicationNumber/GB1020894.0/bdeb71f0-ffb1-4f74-9776-e34d82fcbb21/GB2473376-20140414-Letter%20%20Agentapplicant.pdf
---------------------
BT mentioned on page 6
Nov 30 2015
I’ve been reading an article from Tim Critchley CEO of BT’s partner Semafone on card payments in the contact centre. The Semafone technology powers BT’s Secure Contact. In the article published in Computer Fraud & Security and on the Semafone web site.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/tim-critchley-ceo-semafone-explains-how-technology-can-davis
---------------------------
Worth another look. Read the article then the comment.
Recently, however, an emerging technology has come to the forefront for the voice channel, which takes an entirely new approach. Instead of trying to find ways of securing the customer card data that has been read aloud, Semafone has patented a payment method that allows the customer to enter their details into the telephone handset while speaking to the agent. This avoids anyone in the contact centre hearing the details, and thanks to DTMF (dual-tone-multi-frequency) masking technology, agents cannot identify the numbers from the keypad tone either. The details are sent directly to the bank, so no card data is held in the retailer’s contact centre infrastructure.
The result removes a huge number of restrictions and reduces the number of PCI controls. The card data is no longer there, so it doesn’t need to be secured. Staff taking phone calls are freed from the daily security scrutiny and can focus their attention on the customer. Because the payment can be taken by any agent, customers are spared the frustration of being transferred during the call. Many contact centres have implemented Omnichannel strategies that include social media as part of its customer relations. DTMF masking technology gives agents the freedom to communicate with customers across multiple channels without infringing on security.
Craig Shilling
Spinning a number of plates…
Nick - Ultracomms - Ultra Communications PCI technology also uses DTMF masking technology allowing for the best customer experience whilst using a compliant method for taking payments. -
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/when-talking-payment-security-dont-forget-voice-tim-critchley
Victor,
Yes, I have. The colour coded box in the latest filing is a (very) condensed version of that.
The continuing absence of Tim Critchley remains very strange. Nice stuff on Pogo but in the end I think he said it hardly sold because it was overtaken by 3G?
Incidentally, it is worth looking again at Eckoh’s Defence and Counterclaim in the Semafone litigation, in particular what Semafone was allegedly up to (see pages 5-9, inclusive). It would be good if you could find the old Semafone URL referred to under ‘Malicious Falsehood’ on p 8. Critchley was CEO when all this was allegedly going on. The details in the Counterclaim may help explain Eckoh’ continuing animus towards Semafone/Sycurio.
Lucretuis
Have you read document 52, 6 Exhibit F - Comparison Chart?
So much for
Reason for urgency
"The requested information is relevant to pending
litigation in the United States and is needed prior to
the close of the discovery period"
Still no call up for Tim Critchley.
This was on the video
Pogo to the future
25 October, 2001
Mr Critchley said the gadget should be in a few select shops in time for Christmas and will be widely available from January 2002. It is expected to retail for about Ł299.
The Pogo company is currently finalising deals to distribute the Pogo in high-street retailers and cementing its links with mobile phone networks.
More here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1617884.stm
----------------------
Pogo power in your hand
Internet to go? No thanks, if it means a choice between crappy WAP mobile now and dreaming of superfast 3G (third generation) mobiles some day. But the Pogo, unveiled last week, is a mobile that lets you surf as if you're at your desk, in full colour and as fast as a PC. Nor is it the brainchild of Bill Gates, or a Japanese giant, just three guys in Clerkenwell.
Pogo's trick is making normal global system for mobile communications (GSM) signals faster by compressing data before it's transmitted to your phone. Web pages appear five times faster. As Pogo cofounder Tim Critchley says: "We believe 3G is further away than everyone thinks, so we decided to make existing technologies faster."
Developing Pogo, from invention to hitting the shelves of every Carphone Warehouse in January, has taken less than two years.
More here
https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/pogo-power-in-your-hand-6300851.html
-----------------------------
Mobile internet device on sale next month
13th February 2002
Charles Dunstone, Chairman and Chief Executive of The Carphone Warehouse, said: "Customers have been crying out for this kind of product and we are very pleased to now be able to offer it."
Charles Dunstone with Pogo.
Pogo THE UK's first hand-held mobile internet device -- Pogo -- has gone on sale via an exclusive distribution deal with The Carphone Warehouse.
Pogo offers full colour web access at PC speed combined with e-mail, MP3 and mobile phone.
It is priced at £299 with a one-off connection charge of £30 to the "Fresh" tariff.
https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/5985938.mobile-internet-device-on-sale-next-month/
Victor,
Looks like things are progressing at a leisurely pace as the US court has only just given its blessing to three of the patents’ inventors being deposed in the UK, a month after PCIP’s unopposed request to do so. So it will be 2024 before they are deposed.
Also let’s hope conmon sense prevails and the US Court takes account of Mrs Justice Bacon’s judgment, as PCIP requests. Good coloured coded box in PCIP’s latest filing that illustrates the “substantial similarities” between the UK patent and its US offspring.
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
52..REPLY to Response to Motion re48 MOTION to Limit the Number of Asserted Patent Claims by PCI Pal (U.S.) Inc..(Dority, James)
Att: 6 Exhibit F - Comparison Chart,
https://www.pacermonitor.com/case/41847299/Semafone_Limited
Thursday, October 19, 2023
88 respoth Reply to Response Thu 10/19 4:56 PM
REPLY to Response re86 Response [PCI PAL (U.S.) INC.'S REPLY IN SUPPORT OF ITS NOTICE OF RULING IN RELATED U.K. PROCEEDING] by PCI Pal (U.S.) Inc.. (Dority, James)
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
87 order Order on Motion for Issuance of Letters Rogatory Wed 10/18 4:20 PM
ORDER granting 82 Motion for Issuance of Letters Rogatory. Signed by District Judge Max O. Cogburn, Jr on 10/18/2023. (ams)
https://www.pacermonitor.com/case/41847299/Semafone_Limited
Lucretuis
No luck buying the 87 (Australian devils number) Document elsewhere. Looks like tomorrow, if updated.
Sycurio Limited v. PCI Pal (U.S.) Inc.
Order on Motion for Issuance of Letters Rogatory — Document #87
District Court, W.D. North Carolina
Docket Number: 3:21-cv-00486
Citation: Sycurio Limited v. PCI Pal (U.S.) Inc., 3:21-cv-00486, (W.D.N.C. Oct 18, 2023) ECF No. 87
Date Filed: October 18th, 2023, 4:20 p.mhttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60385210/87/sycurio-limited-v-pci-pal-us-inc/. EDT
Victor,
I can’t see the latest on Pacermonitor, either.
Victor,
Yes, a warning shot was fired in September 2020 (this from nemory, I haven’t checked the date), doubtless to be able to show how earnest Semafone was about protecting its IP.
The DC Advisory guff on the Semafone sale is hilarious. Livingbridge “committed significant growth funding “ for Semafone, was the “perfect partner”, and “has a track record of investments.,,,with businesses that, similarly to Semafone, have strong IP…”. Just three problems there: none of it has turned out to be true. Livingbridge hasn’t put any money into Sycurio; looks to have been the perfect partner for IP lawyers not the company; and decisions to date have shown the IP to be invalid rather than strong. But at least it was indeed “an outstanding outcome for Gary”: he trousered about £3.4m.
Lucretuis
Pacermonitor, not updating for me. New Document
87
Oct 18, 2023
Main Document
Order on Motion for Issuance of Letters Rogatory
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60385210/sycurio-limited-v-pci-pal-us-inc/
Lucretuis
Thanks, for your answer. Didn't Semafone fire a warning in 2020 at PCIP?
DC Advisory advised Semafone on its sale to Livingbridge
DC Advisory (DC) was engaged by the shareholders of Semafone to advise on the sale of the company in November 2020
DC ran a tailored process, leveraging its sector expertise, cross-border connections, and senior relationships with private equity buyers, raising strong interest from both European and North American funds
A carefully messaged, detailed analysis, illustrating the key drivers of the business, was provided throughout the process
The transaction was signed and completed in June 2021
“An outstanding outcome for Gary and the Semafone team – Livingbridge is the perfect partner to help Semafone further penetrate North America and other markets globally, and to continue building out a portfolio of industry-leading solutions that protect highly sensitive data traversing through contact centers. We are pleased to have worked with such outstanding teams on both sides of the transaction, and in the ability of our global cyber, risk and compliance team to deliver another premium outcome on behalf of our client.”
Matt Fiore
Managing Director, DC Advisory US
https://www.dcadvisory.com/news-deals-insights/deal-announcements/dc-advisory-advised-semafone-on-its-sale-to-livingbridge/#gref