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I wonder why the Eastern District is like this? I wonder if it goes back to the oil industry and what I'm sure was a brutal fight over patents on drilling and r

by api 6y ago

I wonder why the Eastern District is like this? I wonder if it goes back to the oil industry and what I'm sure was a brutal fight over patents on drilling and refinery technology during the heyday of Texas wildcatting.

ABCLAW 6y ago
>I wonder why the Eastern District is like this? Slow evolutionary pressure on people and institutions. You form a small cottage industry around a court system that doesn't have a ton of work, and therefore can hear your cases quickly; you start to get 'business minded' consultants in the industry that approach clients in other jurisdictions to bring their cases to this court system. That pipeline of work ossifies and generates a lot of value as it's immediately proximal to the transaction; when courts become less predictable/slow down/start putting out bad results, the individuals involved complain. 20 years later, these individuals are now on the bench. They view the system from the perspective of the business they've created. They optimize with the stakeholders they serviced in mind. And so from a few local lawyers trying to hustle, you create an IP nightmare for the entire country. Step by step.
pwinnski 6y ago
There's some number-driven analysis that suggest plaintiffs began to file there specifically because plaintiffs used to often win. That seems to have settled down more recently, but the reputation remains. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/East-Texas-remains-at-the-top-for-patent-lawsuits-5728614.php https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/East-Texas...
sgc 6y ago
As far as I recall from reading about this a few years back, it's really mainly this one judge who is perpetuating this bs, although perhaps he has managed to attract a following of judges there. Just search for "Judge Robert Schroeder software verdict" and the cases pop up. Literally one person destroying growth and healthy innovation for so many. Reminds me of other people in positions of power...
stefan_ 6y ago
Its good business, that is how Marshall, Texas, city of 20000 got its Samsung Ice Skating Rink, Samsung Holiday Celebration Show and a steer champion called TiVo.

by api 6y ago

ABCLAW 6y ago

>I wonder why the Eastern District is like this? Slow evolutionary pressure on people and institutions. You form a small cottage industry around a court system that doesn't have a ton of work, and therefore can hear your cases quickly; you start to get 'business minded' consultants in the industry that approach clients in other jurisdictions to bring their cases to this court system. That pipeline of work ossifies and generates a lot of value as it's immediately proximal to the transaction; when courts become less predictable/slow down/start putting out bad results, the individuals involved complain. 20 years later, these individuals are now on the bench. They view the system from the perspective of the business they've created. They optimize with the stakeholders they serviced in mind. And so from a few local lawyers trying to hustle, you create an IP nightmare for the entire country. Step by step.

pwinnski 6y ago

There's some number-driven analysis that suggest plaintiffs began to file there specifically because plaintiffs used to often win. That seems to have settled down more recently, but the reputation remains. https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/East-Texas-remains-at-the-top-for-patent-lawsuits-5728614.php https://www.houstonchronicle.com/business/article/East-Texas...

sgc 6y ago

As far as I recall from reading about this a few years back, it's really mainly this one judge who is perpetuating this bs, although perhaps he has managed to attract a following of judges there. Just search for "Judge Robert Schroeder software verdict" and the cases pop up. Literally one person destroying growth and healthy innovation for so many. Reminds me of other people in positions of power...

stefan_ 6y ago

Its good business, that is how Marshall, Texas, city of 20000 got its Samsung Ice Skating Rink, Samsung Holiday Celebration Show and a steer champion called TiVo.