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Intellectual Ventures Settles Lawsuits With Asian Memory Companies

curtwoodward writes "Intellectual Ventures, the controversial patent middleman company headed by former Microsoft CTO Nathan Myhrvold, has settled one of the first lawsuits it ever filed. This legal spat was with two Asian firms: South Korea-based Hynix and Japan-based Elpida. It also involved a complaint to the International Trade Commission, which roped in downstream customers including Dell and H-P because they used components from the two manufacturers. The terms weren't disclosed, but it seems quite likely that Intellectual Ventures was able to get the licensing fees it always wanted: The company's head lawyer is quoted praising the two former adversaries, and explaining once again that the company wants to license its patents instead of heading to court."

5 of 30 comments (clear)

  1. And... by ackthpt · · Score: 2

    The company's head lawyer is quoted praising the two former adversaries, and explaining once again that the company wants to license its patents instead of heading to court.

    You'll know they have the patent when they sue you.

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
  2. Type on summary by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    r/controversial patent middleman/controversial patent troll/g

    There - fixed it.

  3. license its patents instead of heading to court by fustakrakich · · Score: 5, Funny

    "I don't like violence... I'm a businessman; blood is a big expense."

    --
    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
  4. why risk court? by slew · · Score: 2

    ...the company wants to license its patents instead of heading to court.

    Obviously. Who would voluntarily want to put the fate of their enterprise in the hands of 12 people who couldn't think of a valid excuse of how to get out of (civil) jury duty?

    Of course you might think that mediation and arbitration would solve this problem, but if one of the sides has a little to lose, and much to gain, they often will gamble their chances with the jury trial. As a classic example, Apple vs Samsung: a billion dollars to each side is merely pocket change, not much to lose for either one. On the flip side, a couple of bankrupt memory chip companies might need to some stability and predicability just to survive. A patent troll, however, doesn't want their patents accidentally invalidated, so gambling isn't the prefered way to do business...

  5. Mafia Style "Capitiaism" by Required+Snark · · Score: 2
    Extortion is always extortion, even if you call it patent fees.

    Parasites can destroy a system, whether it be an economy or an organism. We live in an era of massive institutionalized corruption.

    --
    Why is Snark Required?