5 ms·

I've just been running into this same issue actually and it's sooo frustrating. Especially with software patents that are so ridiculous. In my case, some idiot

I've just been running into this same issue actually and it's sooo frustrating. Especially with software patents that are so ridiculous. In my case, some idiot has a patent on basically using a database to look stuff up (just applied to one specific industry). It's actually an issued patent! Crazy! Anyway, we had a brief consultation with a patent attorney and we think we can work around the patent in our case. But he said a thorough review of the patent and all the documentation could like run upwards of $10k, and any litigation would easily be $25k to start and most likely a whole lot more expensive. Options are really- (1) Find a way to work around the exact patent methodology and still accomplish your goal (2) License the patent (3) Do nothing and risk getting sued (4) Give up Best of luck to you!

romland 17y ago
or (5) Find prior art. One thing to note, though: I'd be careful posting claims like this with an alias that can be traced back to you. Should you go ahead, you have now admitted that you knowingly infringed on the patent. Some claim that this is an issue of the past, some not. I am not a lawyer.
- jhg 17y ago
  > (5) Find prior art. That's actually a good strategy. Should you ever be approached regarding a patent infringement, produce the prior art and say that you are going to challenge the patent (which is doable). I am going to guess that in many cases, especially in cases of patent trolls, they will back off as it makes more sense to keep the patent and harass other people than risk loosing the patent altogether.
  - anamax 17y ago
    > That's actually a good strategy. > I am going to guess that in many cases Please us about your experiences and/or expertise.
- prodigal_erik 17y ago
  Prior art is only useful if you have enough money to endure a lawsuit. Note that you probably won't get this money back even if you win.

romland 17y ago

or (5) Find prior art. One thing to note, though: I'd be careful posting claims like this with an alias that can be traced back to you. Should you go ahead, you have now admitted that you knowingly infringed on the patent. Some claim that this is an issue of the past, some not. I am not a lawyer.

jhg 17y ago
> (5) Find prior art. That's actually a good strategy. Should you ever be approached regarding a patent infringement, produce the prior art and say that you are going to challenge the patent (which is doable). I am going to guess that in many cases, especially in cases of patent trolls, they will back off as it makes more sense to keep the patent and harass other people than risk loosing the patent altogether.
- anamax 17y ago
  > That's actually a good strategy. > I am going to guess that in many cases Please us about your experiences and/or expertise.
prodigal_erik 17y ago
Prior art is only useful if you have enough money to endure a lawsuit. Note that you probably won't get this money back even if you win.