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Newegg Sues Patent Troll After Troll Dropped Its Own Lawsuit (arstechnica.com)

WheezyJoe writes: Not satisfied that a patent troll dropped its lawsuit against them, Newegg has sued the troll. So-called "patent holding company" Minero Digital sought to exact royalty payments on a wide range of USB hubs, suing, among others, Newegg's subsidiary Rosewill. But the "non-practicing entity" dropped its East Texas lawsuit against Rosewill within days of getting a call from the Newegg's lawyer. However, Minero dismissed its Texas lawsuit "without prejudice", meaning it can refile the case at a time of its choosing. So, Newegg filed its own lawsuit against Minero in Los Angeles federal court, asking a judge to lay down a ruling that Minero's case against Rosewill is baseless. Says Newegg's Chief Legal Officer Lee Cheng, "Minero's case does not have merit, and its patent is not only expired but would suck even if it wasn't expired. Now that they have started the litigation, it would be irresponsible for Newegg to not finish it."

6 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. Idea for anti-troll group by the_povinator · · Score: 5, Interesting
    A group of companies should form a NATO-like pact, binding the companies to employ scorched-earth tactics whenever sued by a patent troll.

    Carthage must be destroyed!

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    The .sig is dead, and I believe I had a hand in killing it.
  2. Furthermore by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Once the lawyers have been disbarred, all parties involved should then be brought on criminal charges of extortion:

    The obtaining of property from another induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right.

  3. Re:LOL by RenderSeven · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Maybe, maybe not. I for one will make it a point to shop on Newegg just a little bit more.

  4. Re:Always used to use Newegg by nwf · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I've found that searching for components on NewEgg is much easier. It's almost impossible to search for anything on Amazon that's not totally mainstream. I just put together a PC for a media server, and I purchased everything from NewEgg. They were either cheaper or I could actually find the products quickly. I don't really want to read page "1 of 234" containing random products with no relation to what I searched for. Thanks amazon.

    I hate all their "marketplace" sellers (although NewEgg is doing this crap, too.) Amazon is becoming crap of late. Reviews are useless in many cases, partly because they group tons of similar products into a single "product" (especially bad with movies.) I was searching last night for LotR on Blu-Ray and their descriptions don't even say what's on the extra discs. Useless. And marketplace sellers sell cheap knockoffs that mess up reviews of genuine products. I've ordered a product based the description only to get something else. The seller then says "oh some other seller changed the description." What's the point of having descriptions, then, if any idiot can change them?

    NewEgg is still pretty decent to deal with and getting someone to help you is MUCH easier than with Amazon. Everyone I've done a chat with at amazon was totally clueless. One even re-ordered my order for no apparent reason, which I then had to return. Amazon is becoming the Mos Eisley of shopping anymore: a wretched hive of scum and villainy. Good luck trying to find decent coin batteries, Lion batteries, chargers, etc. They sell them, you'll just never find them.

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    I don't know, but it works for me.
  5. Re: Geeks rejoice (using your dollars) by bill_mcgonigle · · Score: 3, Interesting

    heh, I was going to post the same reply. They charged me about $250 to return an unopened switch (after I paid shipping) for a project where I had bought one too many. Sorry, that's food from the babies' mouths for a small business when Amazon does free returns.

    It's a bet on all the subs coming in on spec. vs. ordering too little or too much. Better to not have to worry about such things, and arbitrary fees means worrying.

    I do admire NewEgg's "never start a fight but always finish one" legal approach though. At least my restocking fees are going to good attorneys.

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  6. Re:LOL by jbmartin6 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I thought the same thing, aside from other benefits it is great marketing for Newegg among folks who are likely to become valuable repeat customers.

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