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$400 Million IP Experiment Making Some Nervous

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the duck-and-cover dept.

BrianWCarver writes "IP Law & Business shines the spotlight on Intellectual Ventures, the IP start-up founded in 2000 by former Microsoft chief technologist Nathan Myhrvold. According to some estimates, Intellectual Ventures has amassed 3,000-5,000 patents, with the help of a $400 million investment from some of the biggest technology companies, including Nokia, Intel, Apple, Sony, and Microsoft. As the patent stockpile grows, so does the speculation--and the fear. IP lawyers and tech executives worry that Intellectual Ventures is less interested in changing the world with big ideas, and more focused on becoming an über patent troll, wreaking litigation havoc across industries with its patents."

10 of 262 comments (clear)

  1. I knew I should have patented... by jjsaul · · Score: 4, Funny

    I knew I should have patented the idea of patent-trolling. Dang.

    1. Re:I knew I should have patented... by kimvette · · Score: 4, Funny

      I regret to inform you, PCeye, that you are in violation of patent 1,521,271 "Method for whining about the patent situation" which I filed on July 22, 1998. You have 30 minutes to cease and desist violating my intellectual property, or you may opt to negotiate a license for continuing using my method. You may contact me at frivilouspatents@fraudulent-ip-sharks.com

      --
      The Christian Right is Neither (Christian nor right). See: Matthew 23, Matthew 25, Ezekiel 16:48-50
  2. Some kids grow up to be trolls by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Some kids want to be doctors when they grow up
    Some kids want to be air force pilots
    Some kids want to be computer scientists (that's what I told my grade 1 teacher)
    And finally,
    Some kids want to be "uber patent trolls" I guess

  3. IV by certel · · Score: 1, Funny

    Wow. That's an interesting view on a company receiving that much in funding. I could be worried too. Who can justify that many patents? Is the IP protocol really worth that many patents?

    --
    [%] Cingular Ringtones
  4. I want to be a scientist know... by TubeSteak · · Score: 4, Funny
    Last January a dozen of the world's most respected scientists gathered in a nondescript conference room at an office building outside of Seattle. They sat around a table cluttered with laptops and papers, snacked on bowls of beef jerky and Chex Mix
    Beef jerky and Chex Mix?
    Sign me up!
    --
    [Fuck Beta]
    o0t!
    1. Re:I want to be a scientist know... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Perhaps first we should brush up on our English.

  5. obligatory... by mayhemt · · Score: 2, Funny
    message from big companies:
    All your base are belong to us...

    In soviet russia, parents patent you.

  6. Re:why would they do that? by guet · · Score: 3, Funny

    niché : a clichéd niche?

  7. Hold that thought by HotBBQ · · Score: 5, Funny
    From TFA

    'They can't be screwing around with a bunch of ideas for that long,'

    Why not? I've been screwing around with the idea of screwing around with multiple hot chicks since I can remember. Wish I could get a patent on that.

    1. Re:Hold that thought by Eccles · · Score: 4, Funny

      Why not? I've been screwing around with the idea of screwing around with multiple hot chicks since I can remember. Wish I could get a patent on that.

      Now that's one case where I really wish I had prior art...

      --
      Ooh, a sarcasm detector. Oh, that's a real useful invention.