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A New Species of Patent Troll

Posted by samzenpus on from the easy-money dept.

Geoffrey.landis writes "According to the Wall Street Journal, there's a new species of patent troll out there. These new trolls sue companies that sell products with an expired patent number on them. That's right, it's against the law to sell a product that's marked with an expired patent number. The potential fine? $500. Per violation. And some of the companies have patent numbers on old plastic molds that have made literally billions of copies. Using whistle-blower laws, 'anyone can file a claim on behalf of the government, and plaintiffs must split any fine award evenly with it.' You've been warned."

2 of 258 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Patented! by SharpFang · · Score: 2, Funny

    Once your patents expire I'm gonna sue you for this post.

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  2. Anon Patent Troll by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Live by the Sword, Die by the Sword.