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Martha Stewart Out To Exterminate Patent Troll Lodsys

Posted by timothy on from the taking-back-the-inch-and-the-mile dept.

McGruber writes "Gigaom's Jeff John Roberts reports that Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (MSLO) has filed a lawsuit against Lodsys, a shell company that gained infamy two years ago by launching a wave of legal threats against small app makers, demanding they pay for using basic internet technology like in-app purchases or feedback surveys. In the complaint filed this week in federal court in Wisconsin, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia asked a judge to declare that four magazine iPad apps are not infringing Lodsys' patents, and that the patents are invalid because the so-called inventions are not new. The complaint explained how Lodsys invited the company to 'take advantage of our program' by buying licenses at $5,000 apiece. It also calls the Wisconsin court's attention to Lodsys' involvement in more than 150 Texas lawsuits. In choosing to sue Lodsys and hopefully crush its patents, Martha Stewart is choosing a far more expensive option than simply paying Lodsys to go away."

10 of 150 comments (clear)

  1. ...and suddenly by ZorinLynx · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ....out of nowhere I have a heck of a lot more respect for Martha Stewart.

    It's like MAGIC!

    1. Re:...and suddenly by amiga3D · · Score: 5, Insightful

      One thing about Martha, she isn't about to take any crap off anyone. I think these assholes tried to shake down the wrong woman.

    2. Re:...and suddenly by MightyMartian · · Score: 5, Insightful

      What I admired is how she opted to go to jail and serve out her sentence even though protested it. Yeah, she looks a bit cranky, but that took real backbone.

      --
      The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
    3. Re:...and suddenly by RazorSharp · · Score: 4, Insightful

      How often does a company choose the greater loss to make a point without approval from the top? I'm sure, at the least, she's aware of the situation.

      --
      "From the depths of my skeptical and rationalist soul, I ask the Lord to protect me from California touchie-feeliedom."
    4. Re:...and suddenly by DarkFencer · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I always had sympathy for her after her jail sentence. She went to jail for a MINOR insider trading case (where they couldn't even prove that, just obstruction of justice), while those who collapsed the economy got off scot free.

      Hope her company drives the patent trolls into the ground. And then she decorates the grave with some potpourri warning signs to other trolls or some such.

  2. This really *should* end well! by pla · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Lodsys has finally encountered the perfect enemy - Queen bitch, completely self-absorbed, and very, very wealthy. Martha Stewart not only has the money, power, and influence to defend herself, but if she has taken personal offense to their tactics, she won't stop until she has completely and utterly destroyed Lodsys.

    Yay!

  3. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  4. Re:Don't Mess With Martha by NoKaOi · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Plus it might give other trolls the idea that going after patents/sueing for bullshit claims may not always end in their favor. Kudos to her!

    In the bigger picture, it will only make a difference if the people responsible for Lodsys's antics are held personally responsible. Otherwise a troll isn't really going to care if their company goes under as long as they walk away with some money in the meantime.

  5. The feds and govt lie to us every day by cheekyboy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So its ok for the feds to lie to us, for fbi to lie, for Obama to lie, its ok for all politicians to lie to everyone daily.

    Hey feds, the sky is red. Arrest me.

    All of the SEC is spineless and corrupt and a in cahoots with the corp elite.

    --
    Liberty freedom are no1, not dicks in suits.
  6. Re:Long-term thinking by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Insightful

    >Next time you read about an injustice, think about what the victim could do to take the bullies to task. Then ask "why didn't they do that?"

    They answer is simple. The victim didn't have the financial resources to fight back. Justice in America is strictly pay-for-play.