Vizio, Destroyer of Patent Trolls

An anonymous reader writes: We read about a lot of patent troll cases. Some are successful and some are not, but many such cases are decided before ever going to court. It's how the patent troll operates — they know exactly how high litigation costs are. Even without a legal leg to stand on, they can ask for settlements that make better financial sense for the target to accept, rather than dumping just as much money into attorney's fees for an uncertain outcome. Fortunately, some companies fight back. TV-maker Vizio is one of these, and they've successfully defended against 16 different patent trolls, some with multiple claims. In addition, they're going on the offensive, trying to wrest legal fees from the plaintiffs for their spurious claims. "For the first time, it stands a real chance, in a case where it spent more than $1 million to win. Two recent Supreme Court decisions make it easier for victorious defendants to collect fees in patent cases. The TV maker is up against a storied patent plaintiffs' firm, Chicago-based Niro, Haller & Niro, that has fought for Oplus tooth and nail. ... For Vizio, the company feels that it's on the verge of getting vindication for a long-standing policy of not backing down to patent trolls."

Comments

I will never understand

[justthinkit]

I will never understand why the loser doesn't pay the winner's fees.

Re:I will never understand

[YrWrstNtmr]

A large company would be able to financially destroy an individual, depending on the outcome.

You may think you have a valid case. But could you pay for the legal fees of Sony/Visio/Target/AMD if you lose?

Re:I will never understand

[guruevi]

Don't file for a fuzzy patent. Read the patents that Tesla filed or other turn-of-19th century patents. They are clear and concise, easy to understand (to the engineer) and easy (with the resources) to replicate including diagrams. These days, I don't understand any of the patents, what they are for or what they do. Companies are patenting entire computer devices (phones, embedded devices) with nothing more than a diagram of what the UI layout could be.

Re:I will never understand

[Dahamma]

The manager of that McDonald's refused to pick up 50% of the initial ER bill.

The problem is, THIS is exactly what patent trolls rely on! You are saying even if they felt like they didn't do anything wrong, they should just pay a lesser fee to avoid a possibly larger one after litigation.

This woman had 3rd degree burns because she was 78 years old, in a car, and spilled a cup of 180 degree coffee on cotton sweatpants that she couldn't remove in 30+ seconds. That SUCKS. But on the other hand I (and most people) brew coffee at > 180 degrees at home every day and manage not to soak cotton sweatpants with it to cook our skin for 30 seconds. Because hot coffee is not intended to be pressed up against the skin for 30 seconds. It's intended to be sipped slowly.

McDonald's got fucked in this lawsuit because they were an arrogant megacorporation. Which I have to say, I don't pity them much for. But I also don't think the lawsuit made much sense.

My next TV

[garyisabusyguy]

Will probably be a Vizio