I've noticed this trend also, I asked google and got this response from wikipedia: > An individual case often begins with a perfunctory infringement complaint,

I've noticed this trend also, I asked google and got this response from wikipedia: > An individual case often begins with a perfunctory infringement complaint,[31] or even a mere threat of suit, which is often enough to encourage settlement for the nuisance or "threat value" of the suit by purchasing a license to the patent. In the United States, suits are often brought in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, known for favoring plaintiffs and for expertise in patent suits.[53] Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_troll http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_troll