3 ms·

Are patent trolls really different from IBM (+others)? I generally see strong backlash against "companies that produce nothing" yet sue everyone else. However

Are patent trolls really different from IBM (+others)? I generally see strong backlash against "companies that produce nothing" yet sue everyone else. However it's really easy for large companies with mountains of patents (many of which will never be products) to strong-arm smaller companies into cross-licensing (anything you build will surely breach some patent). So they would only get paid by their patents and hardly ever have to pay anyone else due to the patent system. By this principle, only a company that produces nothing could ever hope to sue the technology behemoths for patent breaching. Point here being that it's not the eastern district of texas that's at fault, nor the patent trolls (because other companies use the patent system in very similar ways). It's the patent system that's complete utter bullshit

wahern 6y ago
> By this principle, only a company that produces nothing could ever hope to sue the technology behemoths for patent breaching. True, there's a fair amount of hypocrisy. Patent trolls (NPEs) suck for everybody, but they especially suck for large corporations as large patent portfolios and cross-licensing agreements (actual and potential) mean they usually don't have to worry about an endless train of trivial patents posing an existential threat to every line of product development. The rise of patent trolls has meant that the pain of software patents is distributed more equitably. And, of course, theoretically this makes it easier for individuals and small companies to monetize patents. But patent trolls also pose a unique problem for smaller players because the ability of big companies to threaten small players is limited by laws and regulations that restrain anti-competitive behavior. Patent trolls almost by definition aren't subject to such restraints. Thus, while most large corporations lobby against patent trolls, it's not uncommon for them to sell to NPEs patents that they couldn't easily prosecute themselves. Patent trolls make it easier for everybody to monetize patents, but in practice it's the small players that arguably get the short end of the stick.
kinghtown 6y ago
Your response begs the question wether you work for a patent troll. Not seriously suggesting that, but come on: 1. They are user hostile. They add no value to the world. Only hinder technology and make life worse for the public. 2. Has any patent troll ever taken their court settlements to actually produce anything? 3. Anyone who knows anything about them only views them as blood sucking leeches. 4. HN loves to paint Apple as Satan but at least they bring quality products to market.

wahern 6y ago

> By this principle, only a company that produces nothing could ever hope to sue the technology behemoths for patent breaching. True, there's a fair amount of hypocrisy. Patent trolls (NPEs) suck for everybody, but they especially suck for large corporations as large patent portfolios and cross-licensing agreements (actual and potential) mean they usually don't have to worry about an endless train of trivial patents posing an existential threat to every line of product development. The rise of patent trolls has meant that the pain of software patents is distributed more equitably. And, of course, theoretically this makes it easier for individuals and small companies to monetize patents. But patent trolls also pose a unique problem for smaller players because the ability of big companies to threaten small players is limited by laws and regulations that restrain anti-competitive behavior. Patent trolls almost by definition aren't subject to such restraints. Thus, while most large corporations lobby against patent trolls, it's not uncommon for them to sell to NPEs patents that they couldn't easily prosecute themselves. Patent trolls make it easier for everybody to monetize patents, but in practice it's the small players that arguably get the short end of the stick.

kinghtown 6y ago

Your response begs the question wether you work for a patent troll. Not seriously suggesting that, but come on: 1. They are user hostile. They add no value to the world. Only hinder technology and make life worse for the public. 2. Has any patent troll ever taken their court settlements to actually produce anything? 3. Anyone who knows anything about them only views them as blood sucking leeches. 4. HN loves to paint Apple as Satan but at least they bring quality products to market.