https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_troll https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_troll I think what you are describing isn't exactly a patent troll. If your id

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_troll https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_troll I think what you are describing isn't exactly a patent troll. If your idea is a software process or program, the likelihood that you would have the resources to fight off others who want to use your technology is slim. There are always so many ways to accomplish the same task in code, that if it is truly valuable, somebody will find a way to work around it. So, you have an idea for something that you can get a patent for. Getting the patent will take you a huge amount of time and a decent chunk of money. Then you need to build a business out of it. I'm not saying don't go for the patent, but if your goal is to create a business, than focus on that. If your goal is to license the IP out to others, than clearly you need a patent, but if you are trying to protect your idea from being copied, I wouldn't worry about it. As everybody says, it's your execution which will define the success or failure of your business. You need to decide if having a patent is a key part of your execution or a distraction.