One practical reality of this rule would be that only wealthy inventors could secure effective IP rights. A patent without the ability to finance a lawsuit (ab

One practical reality of this rule would be that only wealthy inventors could secure effective IP rights. A patent without the ability to finance a lawsuit (about $2 million, min) is an empty threat, and sophisticated parties know this and will refuse to license your IP. Contingency fee lawyers used to fill this void, but recently patent suits have become so unprofitable that, at least anecdotally, very few firms are taking contingency cases. Private equity will step in occasionally for patents with a pedigree, in a strong portfolio, but it's rare.