Big Tech Companies Team Up To Share Info And Fight Patent Hoarders
from the information-asymmetry dept
While the Patent Troll Tracker remains darkened, the world at large is definitely missing out on some of the more useful information he provided on his blog, shedding all sorts of light on some of the sneakier practices of various patent hoarding companies, who were often shell companies to hide the real identity of who was behind the lawsuits. Without much information to fight back against these shell companies demanding millions and millions of dollars, various large tech companies seem to have seen an opportunity to team up to fight back. Joe Mullin points out a new organization called PatentFreedom that is basically an association of large tech companies to share information privately on some of the patent hoarding firms that pop up and sue all too often. Mullin has some fascinating background on the organization, which is actually spinning out of another firm that (of all things) was co-founded by Nathan Myhrvold (the guy some folks now accuse of creating a huge patent trolling organization on his own). That existing firm helps companies both big and small in their patent litigation strategies — but this spinout organization will focus on larger companies facing shell companies that don’t produce any products.
While I think it’s a good thing that the companies who are often on the receiving end of questionable patent lawsuits are trying to combat the information asymmetry concerning these lawsuits, it’s a bit worrisome that this perpetuates the stereotype that this is really a battle between “big companies” and “small inventors.” That’s a false dichotomy that opponents to patent reform like to set up, because no politician wants to be seen as going against the “small inventor.” The truth is that there are all sorts of problems with the patent system, and big companies are some of the worst abusers of the system. Focusing merely on the non-practicing entities, rather than the overall problems with the patent system, may be a necessity these days, but it’s merely dealing with a symptom, rather than treating the actual problem.
Filed Under: big companies, information asymmetry, patent hoarding, patents
Companies: patentfreedom
Comments on “Big Tech Companies Team Up To Share Info And Fight Patent Hoarders”
way to go
Now those corporate leeches want to bundle together to fight legitimate patent claims from small inventors
How about creating an alliance of small patent-holding entities to coordinate patent lawsuits against large corporations ?
How about hundreds of independent inventors filing patent lawsuits against Cisco or Intel or MShit pro se in just one day but in many different jurisdictions all over the country ?
This will drain corporate legal resources real fast….
It's about time but can it last?
Can an alliance of corporations against these
despicable patent horders last or will the
competitive pressures pull it apart?
Patent horders do not help the small inventor,
that’s a lie. They want to aquire the patents
for as little as possible then squeeze the
people who have money for as much as possible.
Hah, Angry Dude you’re off the mark again.
I remember when Cisco, Intel and Microsoft
were start-ups. They didn’t come into being
fully formed as they are now.
Mmm.. Sandy Lerner posing naked for photos
laying on the back of a clydesdale. Those
were the days.
Way to go
Angry Dude,
I like the way you think. Now if you could just put that considerable intellect to use on reality you could help to transform the world into a better place. I agree that the small inventor needs to be protected, but what does that have to do with a shell company that acquires patents for the sole purpose of making money off the patents?
Clarification
Thanks for the post Mike…
One thing I would clarify — You described PatentFreedom as an association of large tech companies — but I suspect that if they really are going to have 50 members by year’s end there will be plenty of companies not strictly in the tech sector. Car companies, banks, and big retailers all are getting hit regularly with patent suits now. I could see demand for such a service coming from a Wal-Mart or Ford or Bank of America.
Does PatentFreedom have an office in east texas ?
gang of thieves
“various large tech companies seem to have seen an opportunity to team up”
oh, you mean the gang of thieves…
Re: gang of thieves
oh, you mean the gang of thieves…
If by gang of thieves, you mean all the companies who have actually brought products to market that make your life better…
Or do you not use the internet or a computer?