5 ms·

Patent trolling is extortion, isn't it?

• forgetsusername 11y ago
  Extortion is a crime.
  • balabaster 11y ago
    Unless it is mandated or endorsed by the Government - which by proxy of the Patent & Trademark office, patent trolling is. We might think of it, feel that it is or fully believe that it is extortion, but the Government feels that this is okay because "Fuck what we think. Lobbyists said this is fair, so it must be so." <end of cynical rant />
• arethuza 11y ago
  Actually, that's a good example - thanks. I guess you could argue that problem is how silly patents are though rather than the problem being with the court system itself.
  • Kalium 11y ago
    It's a good example because even if you know you can win to a high degree of certainty, the cost of fighting is much higher than the cost of settling. This applies to a great many kinds of litigation. Patents are not special in this regard, just a clear example.