Trusted Timestamps: Safeguarding Innovation in Connected Vehicles and Upholding Technological Justice-From the "Carlife" Unfair Competition Case to the Legal Power of Timestamps

Introduction

With rapid technological advancements, connected vehicle technology is gradually bridging the gap between smartphones and in-car systems, offering users unprecedented convenience. However, this emerging field also faces unprecedented challenges, particularly with frequent occurrences of technological infringement and unfair competition. In the case No. (2022) Jing 73 Minzhong 4318 involving the "Carlife" software, the copyright owner and the joint operators defended their legal rights through legal means, with trusted timestamps playing an indispensable role in preserving evidence. This article will use this case as an example to delve into the application of trusted timestamps in unfair competition cases in the connected vehicle sector.

I. Case Background: The Battle for Rights and Interests in the Connected Vehicle Sector

As an intelligent connectivity software, "Carlife" seamlessly integrates smartphones with in-car systems, significantly enhancing the driving experience. However, the defendants, A Technology Co., Ltd., and others, bypassed "Carlife" software's technical measures and sold hardware products like "Carlife to Hicar Box" and "Carlife to Carplay Box," enabling compatibility with mobile "Hicar" and "Carplay" software, thus replacing the functionality of the "Carlife" software. This behavior harmed the interests of the copyright owner of the "Carlife" software, leading to an unfair competition dispute.

II. Trusted Timestamps: The "Mirror" Revealing Technological Infringement

1. Definition and Value of Trusted Timestamps

Trusted timestamps, as a form of electronic evidence preservation technology, involve marking electronic files with a timestamp and verifying their integrity through an authoritative timestamp service center, ensuring the authenticity and credibility of electronic data in legal contexts. In this case, trusted timestamps became a crucial tool for exposing the defendant's infringement and protecting the plaintiff's legal rights.

2. Application of Trusted Timestamps in the Case

To prove the open-source status and technical characteristics of the "Carlife" software, the plaintiff submitted a trusted timestamp certification certificate for the DuerOS in-car version access guide. This certificate not only showcased the advanced technology and comprehensive solution of the DuerOS in-car version but also, through timestamp technology, locked in the access process of the DuerOS vehicle, providing strong evidence to support the plaintiff's claims.

During the litigation process, the trusted timestamp certification certificate, as electronic evidence, was fully recognized by the court for its authority and tamper-proof nature. In combination with other evidence, the court finally determined that the defendants' unauthorized simulation of "Carlife" software's communication protocol through the sale of the involved hardware products disrupted the normal operation of the plaintiffs' legitimately provided network products or services, constituting unfair competition.

III. The Legal Power of Trusted Timestamps

1. Strengthening Legal Protection for Technological Innovation

The application of trusted timestamps provides an effective legal protection mechanism for technological innovation achievements. It allows technology developers to immediately document and secure their innovative results, gaining an advantageous position in subsequent legal disputes. This protection mechanism not only encourages technological innovation but also promotes the healthy development of the technology industry.

2. Promoting Judicial Fairness and Efficiency

In judicial practice, trusted timestamps, as a form of electronic evidence, offer convenience, efficiency, and low cost. They simplify the process of evidence collection, fixation, and submission, reducing litigation costs and time, and improving judicial efficiency. Additionally, due to the authority and reliability of timestamp technology, it enhances the court's trust in electronic evidence, promoting judicial fairness.

3. Supporting the Healthy Development of the Digital Economy

As a crucial component of the digital economy, the healthy development of connected vehicles relies on legal protection and support. The application of trusted timestamps in unfair competition cases within the connected vehicle sector not only protects the legal rights of technological innovators but also maintains fair competition order in the market. This legal power provides strong support for the sustainable healthy development of the digital economy.

Kangxin IP Platform (https://eservice.kangxin.com), as a leading intellectual property service platform in China, is dedicated to providing enterprises with comprehensive, one-stop intellectual property solutions. Among these, the timestamp function stands out as a highlight, offering convenient and efficient services for protecting enterprise data copyrights and documenting technological innovation achievements.

Advantages and Features

- Authoritative Certification: Kangxin IP Platform collaborates with authoritative timestamp service centers to ensure the authority and legal validity of timestamp certifications.

- Convenient Operation: Users can quickly complete the documentation process by uploading electronic files and applying for timestamp certification through the platform, without the need for cumbersome offline procedures.

- Efficient Service: The platform employs advanced encryption technology and security measures to ensure the security and integrity of data transmission and storage, while providing rapid timestamp certification services to meet users' urgent needs.

- Wide Application: The timestamp function of Kangxin IP Platform is not only applicable to the connected vehicle sector but also widely used in software copyright protection, trade secret protection, e-commerce transactions, and other fields, providing enterprises with comprehensive intellectual property protection solutions.

Application Scenarios

- Documenting Technological Innovation Achievements: Enterprises can use the timestamp function of Kangxin IP Platform to document and protect their technological innovation achievements, preventing technology leaks and infringement.

- Intellectual Property Rights Protection: In cases of intellectual property infringement litigation, companies can use the timestamp certification certificate from the Kangxin IP Platform as critical electronic evidence to prove the originality and integrity of their intellectual property, effectively supporting their claims.

With the continuous development of intelligent connectivity technology, copyright protection issues will become increasingly complex and diverse. The Kangxin IP Platform will continue to focus on the field of timestamp services, constantly innovating and optimizing service processes and technical means to provide companies with more comprehensive, efficient, and convenient solutions for copyright protection in the era of intelligent connectivity. At the same time, the platform will strengthen cooperation and exchanges in various fields such as law and technology to jointly promote the improvement and development of the copyright protection system in the intelligent connectivity era.