Patent Trolls

[OfficePants]

http://www.theverge.com/2014/8/20/6048303/patent-troll-drops-suit-against-adam-carolla

Patent trolls have a simple business model: they collect broad patents that appear to cover some part of an industry, and then they sue everyone, hoping that most companies will choose to pay a settlement over the hassle and cost of a lawsuit.

Awesome use of law and lawyers. Nothing like productive business models working for social good.

 

[Russell Street]

That's a long shot dependent on compliant plaintiffs, and there is money down up front. I don't see much future for this.

As with patents, you just get the right to sue. The people making money off the product/service can usually outlast the patent holder.

 

[OfficePants]

The goal is to force people to settle to just get rid of it. It's like the homeless guy that "helps" you find a parking space and then pesters you for $1.

 

[Russell Street]

This is inherently flawed, as anything lucrative enough to warrant a suit would be lucrative enough to protest the patent squatter.
Much like copyright law, that intended to promote creativity and innovation has ended up squelching it.

 

[Thruth]

These fucks have been quite successful on many fronts. It may be a business model with a stale date but until then it is working for them.