Another blog post I read this week focuses on the trial between IPCom and Apple and specifically that the Germany Federal Patent Court declared that no infringement was found on the part of Apple. It is still unclear as to whether or not IPCom intends to appeal. But regardless of the final outcome of this non-sense we are seeing in courts across the world, I want to focus on something else. And that is about corporations buying old patents to pursue litigation for current technology.
This just so happens to also be what happened in this specific trial. IPCom "acquired the wireless patent portfolio of Bosch years after the latter had exited the car phone market and is now monetizing it." Did you catch that? Basically IPCom has bought old technology that resembles newer technology for the sole purpose of exploiting the system and monetizing their acquisition.
There is something wrong with that picture and the fact that a company like IPCom thinks that they can go to a federal court to pursue a trial. In this case, I am very happy with the verdict and definitely believe that IPCom was trying to troll to the nth degree.
Usually I like to sympathize with the trolls because I picture tiny corporations trying to make a dent in these giants. I appreciate that type of david vs goliath floweriness. But in this case, IPCom, like all trolls we've read about thus far has gone too far to make some money. At this point it's plain ridiculous. In fact, I feel it is so ridiculous that this is my last blog post or video log where I discuss anything related to a patent troll. From now on, I will stick to actually learning something about Patents.
You can reference the article below:
http://www.fosspatents.com/2014/02/ipcoms-22-billion-lawsuit-against-apple.html
This just so happens to also be what happened in this specific trial. IPCom "acquired the wireless patent portfolio of Bosch years after the latter had exited the car phone market and is now monetizing it." Did you catch that? Basically IPCom has bought old technology that resembles newer technology for the sole purpose of exploiting the system and monetizing their acquisition.
There is something wrong with that picture and the fact that a company like IPCom thinks that they can go to a federal court to pursue a trial. In this case, I am very happy with the verdict and definitely believe that IPCom was trying to troll to the nth degree.
Usually I like to sympathize with the trolls because I picture tiny corporations trying to make a dent in these giants. I appreciate that type of david vs goliath floweriness. But in this case, IPCom, like all trolls we've read about thus far has gone too far to make some money. At this point it's plain ridiculous. In fact, I feel it is so ridiculous that this is my last blog post or video log where I discuss anything related to a patent troll. From now on, I will stick to actually learning something about Patents.
You can reference the article below:
http://www.fosspatents.com/2014/02/ipcoms-22-billion-lawsuit-against-apple.html
Agreed, I think the system of buying old patents to litigate against modern technology is definitely flawed. Technology is changing every year and i think patents can't keep up with the pace of innovation. I don't know what the system could do to curtail this action, but there must be a way to prevent this type of litigation. Companies already have enough to be worried about with going back through history and finding each and every specific instance of when they could be infringing. Maybe a possible solution is for certain technology patents to carry a shorter shelf-life, however I am not sure if this will be favored. Interesting article, what is your thoughts on curtail this behavior that IPCom employed?
ReplyDeleteHi Osama! I want to commend you on your well written, engaging posts. Also, your video clips are well made (good lighting, pre-planned, good flow, clear language). You chose excellent topics and discuss them well. You are on the path to an excellent grade--keep it up!
ReplyDeleteI loved that you had a lot of emotion in this blogpost, you have a very strong point of view about patent trolls. I do agree with your point that the purchase of old parents by giant companies in order to defeat smaller companies do seem absurd. It seems as if these companies continue to get more clever in finding ways to exploit the system. Hopefully the USPTO recognizes this every time a loophole is found and addresses it!
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