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Device-to-device (D2D) is a pivotal technology in the next generation of communication, allowing for direct task offloading between mobile devices (MDs) to improve the efficient utilization of idle resources. This paper proposes a novel algorithm for dynamic task offloading between the active MDs and the idle MDs in a D2D–MEC (mobile edge computing) system by deploying multi-agent deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to minimize the long-term average delay of delay-sensitive tasks under deadline constraints. Our core innovation is a dynamic partitioning scheme for idle and active devices in the D2D–MEC system, accounting for stochastic task arrivals and multi-time-slot task execution, which has been insufficiently explored in the existing literature. We adopt a queue-based system to formulate a dynamic task offloading optimization problem. To address the challenges of large action space and the coupling of actions across time slots, we model the problem as a Markov decision process (MDP) and perform multi-agent DRL through multi-agent proximal policy optimization (MAPPO). We employ a centralized training with decentralized execution (CTDE) framework to enable each MD to make offloading decisions solely based on its local system state. Extensive simulations demonstrate the efficiency and fast convergence of our algorithm. In comparison to the existing sub-optimal results deploying single-agent DRL, our algorithm reduces the average task completion delay by 11.0% and the ratio of dropped tasks by 17.0%. Our proposed algorithm is particularly pertinent to sensor networks, where mobile devices equipped with sensors generate a substantial volume of data that requires timely processing to ensure quality of experience (QoE) and meet the service-level agreements (SLAs) of delay-sensitive applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Internet of Things (IoT) era, Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) significantly enhances the efficiency of smart devices but is limited by battery life issues. Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) addresses this issue by providing a stable energy supply. However, effectively managing overall energy consumption remains a critical and under-addressed aspect for ensuring the network's sustainable operation and growth. In this paper, we consider a WPT-MEC network with user cooperation to migrate the double near–far effect for the mobile node (MD) far from the base station. We formulate the problem of maximizing long-term computation rates under a power consumption constraint as a multi-stage stochastic optimization (MSSO) problem. This approach is tailored for a sustainable WPT-MEC network, considering the dynamic and varying MEC network environment, including randomness in task arrivals and fluctuating channels. We introduce a virtual queue to transform the time-average energy constraint into a queue stability problem. Using the Lyapunov optimization technique, we decouple the stochastic optimization problem into a deterministic problem for each time slot, which can be further transformed into a convex problem and solved efficiently. Our proposed algorithm works efficiently online without requiring further system information. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that our proposed algorithm outperforms baseline schemes, achieving approximately 4% enhancement while maintain the queues stability. Rigorous mathematical analysis and experimental results show that our algorithm achieves  O (1 / V) , O (V)  trade-off between computation rate and queue stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) integrated with Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) is emerging as a promising solution to reduce task delays and extend the battery life of Mobile Devices (MDs). However, maximizing the long-term energy efficiency (EE) of a user-cooperative WPT-MEC system presents significant challenges due to uncertain load dynamics at the edge MD and the time-varying state of the wireless channel. In this paper, we propose an online control algorithm to maximize the long-term EE of a WPT-MEC system by making decisions on time allocations and transmission powers of mobile devices (MDs) for a three-node network. We formulate a stochastic programming problem considering the stability of network queues and time-coupled battery levels. By leveraging Dinkelbach's method, we transform the fractional optimal problem into a more manageable form and then use the Lyapunov optimization technique to decouple the problem into a deterministic optimization problem for each time slot. For the sub-problem in each time slot, we use the variable substitution technique and convex optimization theory to convert the non-convex problem into a convex problem, which can be solved efficiently. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that our proposed algorithm outperforms baseline algorithms, achieving a 20% improvement in energy efficiency. Moreover, our algorithm achieves an [ O (1 / V) , O (V) ] trade-off between EE and network queue stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have increasingly become integral to multi-access edge computing (MEC) due to their flexibility and cost-effectiveness, especially in the B5G and 6G eras. This paper aims to enhance the quality of experience (QoE) in large-scale UAV-MEC networks by minimizing the shrinkage ratio through optimal decision-making in computation mode selection for each user device (UD), UAV flight trajectory, bandwidth allocation, and computing resource allocation at edge servers. However, the interdependencies among UAV trajectory, binary task offloading mode, and computing/network resource allocation across numerous IoT nodes pose significant challenges. To address these challenges, we formulate the shrinkage ratio minimization problem as a mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem and propose a two-tier optimization strategy. To reduce the scale of the optimization problem, we first design a low-complexity UAV partition coverage algorithm based on the Welzl method and determine the UAV flight trajectory by solving a traveling salesman problem (TSP). Subsequently, we develop a coordinate descent (CD)-based method and an alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM)-based method for network bandwidth and computing resource allocation in the MEC system. Extensive simulations demonstrate that the CD-based method is simple to implement and highly efficient in large-scale UAV-MEC networks, reducing the time complexity by three orders of magnitude compared to convex optimization methods. Meanwhile, the ADMM-based joint optimization method achieves approximately an 8% reduction in shrinkage ratio optimization compared to baseline methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capturing long-term dependency from historical behaviors is the key to the success of sequential recommendation; however, existing methods focus on extracting global sequential information while neglecting to obtain deep representations from subsequences. Previous research has revealed that the restricted inter-item transfer is fundamental to sequential modeling, and some potential substructures of sequences can help models learn more effective long-term dependency compared to the whole sequence. To automatically find better subsequences and perform efficient learning, we propose a sequential recommendation model with a gated recurrent unit and Transformers, abbreviated as GAT4Rec, which employs Transformers with shared parameters across layers to model users' historical interaction sequences. The representation learned by the gated recurrent unit is used as the gating signal to identify the optimal substructure in user sequences. The fused representation of the subsequence and edge information is extracted by the encoding layer to make the corresponding recommendations. Experimental results on four well-known publicly available datasets demonstrate that our GAT4Rec model outperforms other recommendation models, achieving performance improvements of 5.77%, 1.35%, 11.58%, and 1.79% in the normalized discounted cumulative gain metric (NDCG@10), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delay-sensitive task offloading in a device-to-device assisted mobile edge computing (D2D-MEC) system with energy harvesting devices is a critical challenge due to the dynamic load level at edge nodes and the variability in harvested energy. In this paper, we propose a joint dynamic task offloading and CPU frequency control scheme for delay-sensitive tasks in a D2D-MEC system, taking into account the intricacies of multi-slot tasks, characterized by diverse processing speeds and data transmission rates. Our methodology involves meticulous modeling of task arrival and service processes using queuing systems, coupled with the strategic utilization of D2D communication to alleviate edge server load and prevent network congestion effectively. Central to our solution is the formulation of average task delay optimization as a challenging nonlinear integer programming problem, requiring intelligent decision making regarding task offloading for each generated task at active mobile devices and CPU frequency adjustments at discrete time slots. To navigate the intricate landscape of the extensive discrete action space, we design an efficient multi-agent DRL learning algorithm named MAOC, which is based on MAPPO, to minimize the average task delay by dynamically determining task-offloading decisions and CPU frequencies. MAOC operates within a centralized training with decentralized execution (CTDE) framework, empowering individual mobile devices to make decisions autonomously based on their unique system states. Experimental results demonstrate its swift convergence and operational efficiency, and it outperforms other baseline algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventionally, intellectual property rights (IPR) are regarded as "property" and injunctive relief is required as automatical when infringement occurs, just like trespass upon property. This approach, however, would make intellectual property rights disproportionally strong and remedies improperly rigid. While intellectual property rights are absolute and can be asserted against anyone in the world, infringement does not happen in this highly generalized way. Rather, IPR infringement involves the interests of the IPR holder, the infringer, third parties and the public. When formulating remedies for IPR infringement, it is not always a good idea to permit injunctive relief regardless of the interests other than those of the IPR holder. In fact, injunctive relief is not the only and sole remedy for trespass upon real property. It should be noted that the creation of a right is distinct from the provision of remedies for violations of that right. When considering injunctive relief, courts should weigh all material interests with a view to remedying the legal order harmed by the infringement. Where courts lose sight of the big picture and allow permanent injunctions mechanically, IPR enforcement runs the risk of unmooring from the genius of IPR laws. The denial of injunctive relief, unlike compulsory licensing, statutory licensing and exceptions to IPRs, is not equal to confining the IPR involved. This relief should be denied where the enforcement would cause the infringer or the public to suffer harm disproportional to possible benefits to the right holder. In those cases, pecuniary damages along with corrective measures can be sufficient to remedy the IPR infringed. In this event, the interests of the IPR involved is not confined but fully recognized. Only the way to make it whole again is changed, not through injunctive relief, but through creative measures. Under the Chinese legal system, IPRs are not subsumed to the property paradigm. Statutorily speaking, courts are not required to allow injunctive relief when copyright, patent or trademark is infringed. Article 118 of the General Principles of Civil Law of P. R. China explicitly provides that the right holders "may" ask for injunctive relief. The Chinese Copyright Law, Patent Law and Trademark Law do not counteract this general principle. This does not mean, however, that there are no rules of law for courts to look at in considering denial of injunctive relief. Where infringement occurs, the infringer has obligations to the IPR holder, including the obligation to desist from infringement. Injunctive relief is the IPR holder's right to ask the court to enforce obligations arising from IPR infringement. In denying injunctive relief, courts should look at the rules of law under the General Principles of Civil Law (GPCL), Tort Liabilities Law (TLL) and Contract Law (CL) which apply generally to performance of obligations. Specifically, Art. 4 GPCL provides that excise of rights should be in good faith and Art. 7 GPCL forbids any excise of rights that would harm public interest or interfere with general economic order. Moreover, Art. 110 CL permits exemption from specific performance of non-pecuniary obligations under the following circumstances; (1) performance is impossible de jure or de facto; (2) the obligation is unsuited for specific performance or the cost of specific performance is excessive; (3) the obligee fails to request specific performance within a reasonable period of time. In practice, Chinese courts do deny injunctive relief in special IPR infringement cases. While they did not explicitly cite those legal provisions mentioned above, case studies show that their legal reasoning can be subsumed to those statutes. Furthermore, in those cases, Chinese courts awarded ongoing royalties in combination with corrective measures in order to remedy the infringed rights vigorously, following the genius of Art. 107 CL, which aims to make contract obligation whole upon breaching. Therefore, it is fair to conclude that the general rules of law applicable to performance of obligations in Chinese civil laws should serve as the principles for denying injunctive relief for IPR infringement. Where the relief is denied, damages and corrective measures should be awarded to adequately remedy the IPR infringed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the conventional view, there must be trademark use by the defendant in order to determinate trademark infringement; and there shall be no trademark use for the purpose of establishing fair use of trademarks. This view, however, is not theoretically founded and is marginalized by judicial practices worldwide. First, trademark use requirement is linked to the concept of "exclusive right to use" a registered mark. The logic runs that where there is no "use as trademark, there should be no infringement upon this exclusive right to use. With the continuous wearing down of the distinction between trademark law and unfair competition law in respect of business designations, however, trademark use as a threshold requirement for infringement upon trademark is untenable. Second, trademark use is connected with confusion on the part of the consuming public. It is argued that where there is no use of designation as a source identifier, there is no possibility of confusion as to sources of plaintiff's and defendant's goods, though there are some merits in this logic. In judging trademark use from the perspective of the consuming public, one should take into account distinctiveness and reputation of the plaintiff's trademark and so on. As a result, the assessment of trademark use overlaps with the assessment of likelihood of confusion. Accordingly, trademark use should not be deemed as a threshold condition for trademark infringement. Third, a descriptive fair use is a limitation upon trademark exclusive rights, also an affirmative defense. The fair use does not require the absence of any confusion. Inquiry about the fair use should involve the fairness of the disputed use, not emphasize on whether it is trademark use or not. Such fairness should be weighed in light of the practices in the trade. Fourth, in the context of anti-dilution for famous marks, it seems logical to suppose that only if the defendant uses a sign as its own trademark and the public uses the designation to identify and distinguish different goods, could the allegedly unique and strong link between the designation and plaintiff's goods be weakened. But this does not mean that it is required to establish in the first place that there is trademark use in order to prove dilution infringement. Instead, allegedly diluting use must be assessed in the context of the normal use of the disputed mark and in relation to the overall commercial impression of consumers. Non-trademark use is a term for "exclusion" with respect to anti-dilution protection. In this sense, the defendant must carry the burden of proof in order to be excused. On the contrary, the plaintiff has no burden to prove that the allegedly diluting use is a trademark use. Therefore, neither trademark use should be considered as a condition precedent to trademark infringement, nor as a threshold requirement for dilution of famous trademarks. In short, "trademark use" is an improper condition imposed to confine trademark protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under Chinese Copyright Law, it is widely held that the right of distribution applies only to tangible original or copies of a work, and thus there is no Internet distribution, no application of exhaustion doctrine in the network environment. Accordingly, online delivery of digital works is only subject to the right of communication to the public through network. This opinion, which originates from Europe, has already been explicitly rejected by the EU Court of Justice in the UsedSoft case. In fact, this conventional view is supported by neither national statutes (including Chinese Copyright Law) nor international treaties. It is the transfer of ownership in the original or copies that characterizes the right of distribution. This right should not be confused with the right of communication to the public through network. Their differences reside not in tangible or intangible medium where the work concerned is fixed. In essence, the right of distribution requires manifestation of intention on the part of the copyright holder or a person acting under his authorization to transfer the ownership of the copies. As a result, the purchasers of the copies may enjoy the content of the work of authorship for unlimited periods at their own choice of time and place. In contrast, the right of communication concerns itself with communication of the content of the work. The audience is supposed to enjoy the content of the work only when communication occurs. True, the audience may employ technical means to "fix" the work communicated to them. The copies so fixed and owned, however, are outside the copyright holder's intention. Such fixing act infringes upon the right of reproduction if it is not exempted as fair use. "Therefore, the intention manifested determines whether a given conduct is online distribution or online communication of works. Accordingly, the exhaustion doctrine should also apply to digital copies delivered through the Internet. Where the copyright holder or a person acting under his authorization sells a digital copy and delivers it to the buyer through the Internet, the right of distribution of the copy should be exhausted. The right holder may not interfere with the resale of the copy by the buyer who makes that copy unusable to him at the time of the resale. This is so even where the buyer sells the copy to a third party and delivers it also through the Internet. Honestly, the exhaustion doctrine traditionally applies to the particular copy sold to the buyer with the copyright holder's consent. The particular material copy which the buyer obtained cannot transfer over the Internet, and a new material copy must be created for the third party as a result of the online delivery. There is reproduction without authorization. That reproduction, however, is necessary for the new lawful acquirer to use the work which he has purchased and thus should not be considered as infringement of the right of reproduction. The exhaustion doctrine so applied promotes competition and does not make copyright holders' situation worse. Surely, it is hard for a copyright holder to police whether the buyer actually deprives himself of the digital copy which he claims to have been resold. However, a copyright holder who distributes copies of a work on a material medium such as a DVD, to which the exhaustion doctrine applies definitely, is faced with the same problem. To fix the policing problem, a copyright holder can and does adopt technical measures to protect his own interests from dishonest acts. Furthermore, he can sue the buyer for infringing on the distribution right as well. To be exempted from infringement, the buyer shall carry the burden of proof that his acts satisfy the conditions for exhaustion, one of which is no access to the copy resold after its online delivery. The burden of proof for the copyright holder to establish infringement remains the same, regardless whether the buyer's online delivery act should be characterized as distribution or communication to the public through network. Therefore, it is unlikely that recognizing digital exhaustion will lead to increased infringement and added cost for enforcing copyright. Undoubtedly, should digital exhaustion apply, copyright holders would be exposed to competition from markets for used digital works and might suffer from economic injuries. But this harm comes from healthy market competition and is perfectly envisioned by the copyright exhaustion doctrine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reflects on the amendment regarding claims of granted patent in China and also focuses on the Chinese Patent Law. It informs that patentees in China can only claim for the protection of patents under centralized patent invalidation proceedings. It discusses the court case Patent Reexamination Board (PRB) v Jiangsu Xiansheng Pharm Co. Ltd. et al. and states that the Supreme Court is planning to amend the legislation regarding the claims of granted patent.

Summary: Huge energy consumption of large‐scale cloud data centers damages environments with excessive carbon emission. More and more data center operators are seeking to reduce carbon footprint via various types of renewable energy. However, the intermittent availability of renewable energy sources makes it quite challenging to cooperate with dynamically arriving workload. Meanwhile, the different natures (eg, price and carbon emission) of multiple energy sources also bring more challenges to achieve an optimal trade‐off among carbon emission, power cost, and service level agreement (SLA). In this paper, we study the problem of reducing the long‐term energy cost for geo‐distributed cloud centers, where multiple sources of renewable energy are considered and SLA requirement and carbon budget are satisfied. To tackle the randomness of workload arrival, varying electricity price, and intermittent supply of renewable energy, we first formulate the cost minimization problem as a constraint stochastic optimization problem. Second, based on Lyapunov optimization technique, we propose an online control algorithm to solve it and provide the rigorous theory analysis to demonstrate its performance. By converting the long‐term optimization problem to a mixed integer linear programming problem in each time slot, we analyze its inherent structure and propose an efficient algorithm to solve it based on Brenner's method. Our proposed algorithm makes online decisions rely only on the current system state and achieve [O(1V),O(V)] cost emission trade‐off. Finally, the effectiveness of our algorithm is evaluated by extensive simulations based on real‐world data traces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]