Supreme Court Slays Patent Trolls

Three recent decisions clamp down on frivolous patents and lawsuits

By Heather McPherson, Newser User

Posted Aug 21, 2007 6:38 PM CDT

(Newser) – Technology Review looks at three recent Supreme Court decisions—taken together, "historic"—that crack down on "patent trolls," unscrupulous companies that file thousands of patents and just as many lawsuits, aggressively hunting for license fees. The new rulings make it harder to launch these licensing campaigns, and easier for courts to deny injunctions and patents.

The troll-boom dates from 1982, when a new federal court was set up for patents, making them easier to get and suits easier to file. As a result, many large companies began to set up "war chests" of patents that could be used to file claims—and as bargaining chips in negotiations. The piece explains how the war heated up, and how the rulings, though they're not all directed at patents, will defuse it.

Chile's Supreme Court judges from left, Ruben Ballesteros, Jaime Rodriguez, Alberto Chaigneau, Nibaldo Segura and Hugo Dolmestch, listen to lawyers during a hearing in the trial to decide whether former... (Associated Press)

The "Feral Troll" ((c) Benimoto)

Norwegian troll ((c) Jacob B tter)

Supreme Court Building ((c) Seansie)

Norwegian troll ((c) Jacob B tter)

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Three recent decisions clamp down on frivolous patents and lawsuits

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Lawsuit: We Invented the Web, So Pay Up Google

Eolas Technologies patent claims interactive web is its brainchild

O'Connor: I'm Not a 'Feminist'

Former justice wants kids to learn about courts

Tech Giants Join Forces Against 'Patent Trolls'

Fear of lawsuits behind group effort to snap up intellectual property

EBay Finally Settles Patent Suit

Will buy three patents as part of agreement with MercExchange

Making Money: Patent Pending

IBM wants to patent an idea about its patents, which is, well, patently contrary

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Three recent decisions clamp down on frivolous patents and lawsuits

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

courts • patent trolls • license fees • US Supreme Court • patent

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Lawsuit: We Invented the Web, So Pay Up Google

Eolas Technologies patent claims interactive web is its brainchild

O'Connor: I'm Not a 'Feminist'

Former justice wants kids to learn about courts

Tech Giants Join Forces Against 'Patent Trolls'

Fear of lawsuits behind group effort to snap up intellectual property

EBay Finally Settles Patent Suit

Will buy three patents as part of agreement with MercExchange

Making Money: Patent Pending

IBM wants to patent an idea about its patents, which is, well, patently contrary

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