focusIR May 2024 Investor Webinar: Blue Whale, Kavango, Taseko Mines & CQS Natural Resources. Catch up with the webinar here.
London South East prides itself on its community spirit, and in order to keep the chat section problem free, we ask all members to follow these simple rules. In these rules, we refer to ourselves as "we", "us", "our". The user of the website is referred to as "you" and "your".
By posting on our share chat boards you are agreeing to the following:
The IP address of all posts is recorded to aid in enforcing these conditions. As a user you agree to any information you have entered being stored in a database. You agree that we have the right to remove, edit, move or close any topic or board at any time should we see fit. You agree that we have the right to remove any post without notice. You agree that we have the right to suspend your account without notice.
Please note some users may not behave properly and may post content that is misleading, untrue or offensive.
It is not possible for us to fully monitor all content all of the time but where we have actually received notice of any content that is potentially misleading, untrue, offensive, unlawful, infringes third party rights or is potentially in breach of these terms and conditions, then we will review such content, decide whether to remove it from this website and act accordingly.
Premium Members are members that have a premium subscription with London South East. You can subscribe here.
London South East does not endorse such members, and posts should not be construed as advice and represent the opinions of the authors, not those of London South East Ltd, or its affiliates.
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
Checked with the co - apparently its 21 days after the December court date, rather than 21 days after the recent decision. Weeks longer for them to appeal it seems!
Victor,
My answer to your question would be that the legal groundwork was aleady being laid in March 2021 for the infringement case against PCIP. Of course, PCIP rather peskily raised more funds in April 2021, which must have reinforced the determination to construct a bogus infringement case, to be based almost entirely on assertion & on the evidence of a non-expert expert.
Lucretuis
Thanks, I think you have covered everything.
I did buy two for 10$ myself.
June 2021, Livingbridge acquired Sycurio
Go to 21 and 22, "Beginning in March 2021"
1.COMPLAINT ( filing fee paid $ 402.00, receipt receipt number ARIDC-1920973 ), filed by CONNOR BLIER.(McDonald, Sally)
https://www.pacermonitor.com/case/50982135/BLIER_v_SYCURIO,_INC_FKA_SEMAFONE,_INC_et_al
My question is, what else was happing in March 2021?
[Oops]
As Livingbridge/Sycurio continue to butcher the IP portfolio (and apparently the business), Mr Barnett seems carelessly to have inserted a redundant ‘0’ into the “eventual exit” valuation forecast.
Victor,
Great spot, as always. I couldn’t resist the temptation to buy one or two of the documents. It’s another great illustration, if the allegations of the plaintiff, Connor Blier, are to be believed of just how dysfunctional and unethical Livingbridge/ Sycurio are, and of who is calling the shots.
According to the plaintiff, Livingbridge is making all the important decisions at Sycurio, which confirms what we strongly suspected. For instance, four out of the five directors of Sycurio Inc are Livingbridge employees. Mr Blair joined Sycurio US as VP marketing in January 2022 on a salary of $200,000 with an “Incentive Bonus” of up to 20% if he was still employed a year later. He was also promised “sweet equity of 6,000 shares upfront”, whose value former Sycurio CEO, Gary Barnett, apparently told him was forecasted to be approximately $900,000 “upon an eventual exit”. Although the complaint does not state it, these share would have been in Yale Topco Ltd, Sycurio’s ultimate holding company, incorporated in the tax haven of Jersey.
Surprise, surprise: Mr Blair, despite repeatedly asking for it and complaining he hadn’t received it, never did get his “sweet equity”; he did, however, get a special New Year’s present from Livingbridge/Sycurio: the sack in January 2023, five days before he would have become entitled to his “Incentive Bonus”.
Mr Blair’s complaint offers some illuminating insights into how Livingbridge has been “developing” Sycurio’s business. Livingbridge/Sycurio “misrepresented to him [Mr Blier] their available products and services, the functionality and viability of existing products and services, and the existing sales pipeline.” And “In response to his complaints….[Livingbridge/Sycurio] began to strip Blier of resources necessary to perform his job, including by reducing his monthly advertising budget by approximately seventy present (70%), by reducing Blier’s team from five (5) to three (3), and by eliminating the 2022 marketing pipeline production budget”. The Livingbride/Sycurio response to Mr Blier’s demand for his “Incentive Bonus” and compensation for the “sweet equity” he never got will make interesting reading.
According to records at the Companies Registry in Jersey, Mr Barnett held at one point 31,131 “sweet equity” shares in Yale Topco Ltd. If these would have been worth what Mr Barnett apparently told Mr Blier his “sweet equity” was forecast to be worth on “eventual exit” that comes to nearly $4.7m. This begs the question of why Mr Barnett walked away from such sweet “sweet equity” in May 2022.
Of course, the very use in the same sentence of Livingbridge/Sycurio with the phrase “sweet equity is extremely problematic. Based on the valuation forecast given to Mr Blier, Sycurio’s entire equity would be worth in excess of $350m on “eventual exit”. Utterly risible. As Livingbridge/Sycurio continue to butcher the IP p
"Before joining Rulai, Gary was the CEO at Sycurio and led it to record recurring revenue growth, resulting in a highly successful exit in ***2021***
https://rul.ai/about-rulai/
BLIER v. SYCURIO, INC F/K/A SEMAFONE, INC. et al
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
4 service Summons Issued Tue 10/17 1:59 PM
Summons Issued as to All Defendants. (Kenny, Meghan)
3 notice Case Opening Notice (Form Attached) Tue 10/17 12:53 PM
CASE OPENING NOTICE ISSUED (Kenny, Meghan)
2 notice Notice of Appearance Tue 10/17 11:12 AM
NOTICE of Appearance by Matthew J. Pimentel on behalf of CONNOR BLIER (Pimentel, Matthew)
1 cmp Complaint - New Case Tue 10/17 10:58 AM
COMPLAINT ( filing fee paid $ 402.00, receipt number ARIDC-1920973 ), filed by CONNOR BLIER.(McDonald, Sally)
Att: 1 Exhibit A,
Att: 2 Civil Cover Sheet,
Att: 3 Summons for Livingbridge,
Att: 4 Summons fot Sycurio
utility Case Assigned/Reassigned Tue 10/17 12:31 PM
Case assigned to District Judge Mary S. McElroy and Magistrate Judge Patricia A. Sullivan. (Kenny, Meghan)
https://www.pacermonitor.com/case/50982135/BLIER_v_SYCURIO,_INC_FKA_SEMAFONE,_INC_et_al
-----------------------------------------------
Dec 1 2022...Executive team
Connor Blier
Marketing
Connor heads up Sycurio’s global marketing team and is responsible for marketing strategy.
He is an established executive with experience in international Google portfolio, Fortune 100, Forbes 100, and Inc. 500 SaaS tech companies.
Proven in marketing strategy, he has been a catalyst for multiple exits and one IPO.
Connor now leads Sycurio's marketing team post Livingbridge acquisition, enabling a new era of growth.
https://web.archive.org/web/20221201164130/https://sycurio.com/about/senior-leadership-team
-----------------
Linkedin
Vice President of Marketing
Sycurio
Jan 2022 - Present1 year 10 months
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Sycurio’s patented data capture methods collect sensitive information such as payment or bank details, and social security numbers, for processing. This prevents sensitive data from ever entering a company’s environment, which in turn eliminates the risk of data breaches and the associated reputation damage & costly fines that come with it.
Sycurio has achieved the four leading security & payment accreditations: ISO 27001:2013, PA DSS certification for its payment solution, PCI-DSS Level…
Victor,
Looks like we are not going to get to see the arbitrator’s ruling in the Eckoh/Semafone case unless PCIP files another motion.
I share your bafflement about ‘timid’ Tim. Doesn’t strike me as a shrinking violet on the basis of that video, and loves to talk.
Wish we had some answers, Adam! Think we're all in the dark. I would assume we would have heard something by now, but what do I know.
At the risk of speaking to myself(!), are we therefore done in the UK given no appeal appearing to have been lodged last night? Or any timing delays for the appeal to be showing which people are aware of?
Monday, October 16, 2023
TEXT-ONLY ORDER granting 80 unopposed MOTION to Seal Document 81 . The Court has reviewed the 80 Defendant's Motion and 84 Plaintiff's response. Plaintiff does not object to the sealing of the 81 subject document, which is designated Confidential-Attorneys Eyes Only under the 44 Protective Order in this case. Accordingly, the Motion to Seal document 81 is granted. To the extent either party seeks any other relief concerning that document, they must submit a separate motion specifying the relief sought. So Ordered. Entered by US Magistrate Judge Susan C. Rodriguez on 10/16/2023. (DLG)
https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/41847299/Semafone_Limited
--------------------------------
Lucretuis
Yes, shame about the lack of information on his time at Semafone. I found it useful for filling in a few gaps in the search for clues as to why Tim wont be appearing on question time. Still baffled though.
Answering my own question: ChatGPT tells me the deadline is typically midnight