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Intellectual Ventures Tied To 1,300 Shell Companies

Posted by timothy on from the such-pretty-shells dept.

dgharmon writes "New research (PDF) shows that Intellectual Ventures is tied to at least 1,300 shell companies whose sole purpose is to coerce real companies into buying patent license that they don't want or need. Those who resist the 'patent trolls' are dragged into nightmarish lawsuits."

4 of 140 comments (clear)

  1. Wow... Organized Crime? by joocemann · · Score: 5, Insightful

    This sounds *exactly* like how organized crime (mobs) operate. Where the hell is the FBI I'm paying for? Will they please focus on relevant issues?!?!?!

  2. I don't understand by Crypto+Gnome · · Score: 5, Insightful

    why anyone is complaining so loudly.

    This behaviour is the natural and logical outcome of the current patent system.

    Did anybody seriously expect anything different?

    --
    Visit CryptoGnome in his home.
  3. If you pay one, the rest come knockin' by symbolset · · Score: 5, Insightful

    That makes the right strategy "All my wealth for defence, not one dime for tribute." Pay the danegeld and you'll never get rid of the Dane.

    --
    Help stamp out iliturcy.
  4. Re:What happened to the days of hitmen? by amiga3D · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I believe having a portfolio full of bullshit obvious, vague and simple patents and using them to intimidate and vanquish competition qualifies as trolling as well.