Comments on: Is RPX’s “Defensive Patent Aggregation” Simply Patent Extortion By Another Name? http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/ Startup and Technology News Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:28:09 -0800 hourly 1 By: The Far Edge » Blog Archive » Patent Defense Play RPX Closes Series B From Index, Kleiner, And Charles River http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2875581 The Far Edge » Blog Archive » Patent Defense Play RPX Closes Series B From Index, Kleiner, And Charles River Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:37:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2875581 [...] first launched in November 2008 as a way to help companies defend themselves specifically against patent trolls [...] [...] first launched in November 2008 as a way to help companies defend themselves specifically against patent trolls [...]

]]> By: ArticleSave :: Uncategorized :: Patent Defense Play RPX Closes Series B From Index, Kleiner, And Charles River http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2873528 ArticleSave :: Uncategorized :: Patent Defense Play RPX Closes Series B From Index, Kleiner, And Charles River Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:06:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2873528 [...] first launched in November 2008 as a way to help companies defend themselves specifically against patent trolls [...] [...] first launched in November 2008 as a way to help companies defend themselves specifically against patent trolls [...]

]]> By: Patent Defense Play RPX Closes Series B From Index, Kleiner, And Charles River | Stoth http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2873098 Patent Defense Play RPX Closes Series B From Index, Kleiner, And Charles River | Stoth Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:33:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2873098 [...] first launched in November 2008 as a way to help companies defend themselves specifically against patent trolls [...] [...] first launched in November 2008 as a way to help companies defend themselves specifically against patent trolls [...]

]]> By: Patent Defense Play RPX Closes Series B From Index, Kleiner, And Charles River | Newsfed - Aggregate local and tech stories with related videos and tweets! http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2873065 Patent Defense Play RPX Closes Series B From Index, Kleiner, And Charles River | Newsfed - Aggregate local and tech stories with related videos and tweets! Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:03:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2873065 [...] first launched in November 2008 as a way to help companies defend themselves specifically against patent trolls [...] [...] first launched in November 2008 as a way to help companies defend themselves specifically against patent trolls [...]

]]> By: Patent Defense Play RPX Closes Series B From Index, Kleiner, And Charles River | Trinitude Network http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2873046 Patent Defense Play RPX Closes Series B From Index, Kleiner, And Charles River | Trinitude Network Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:45:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2873046 [...] first launched in November 2008 as a way to help companies defend themselves specifically against patent trolls [...] [...] first launched in November 2008 as a way to help companies defend themselves specifically against patent trolls [...]

]]> By: Patent Defense Play RPX Closes Series B From Index, Kleiner, And Charles River http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2873024 Patent Defense Play RPX Closes Series B From Index, Kleiner, And Charles River Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:27:01 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2873024 [...] first launched in November 2008 as a way to help companies defend themselves specifically against patent trolls [...] [...] first launched in November 2008 as a way to help companies defend themselves specifically against patent trolls [...]

]]> By: Intellectual property « pensées aléatoires http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2546943 Intellectual property « pensées aléatoires Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:00:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2546943 [...] have no strong opinion with respect to patent, but for one thing: looking at this article from Techcrunch, where a company’s business model is to get money for not suing other companies for patent [...] [...] have no strong opinion with respect to patent, but for one thing: looking at this article from Techcrunch, where a company’s business model is to get money for not suing other companies for patent [...]

]]> By: s http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2546260 s Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:32:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2546260 err..that should have read: "... pursue patnets that are unique to your business..or..a tailored portfolio if you will." err..that should have read: “… pursue patnets that are unique to your business..or..a tailored portfolio if you will.”

]]> By: s http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2546258 s Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:30:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2546258 Their business model is that supposedly it's cheaper to use their services for one thing. secondly, one thing that isn't stated clearly but is true is that members of RPX's protection umbrella can use RPX's patent portfolio to counter sue other non-members. Furthermore, I think if you join their protection umbrella they pursue acquiring patents that may be unique. People want to to overhaul the patent system and/or the courts..err...what do you recommend? Their business model is that supposedly it’s cheaper to use their services for one thing. secondly, one thing that isn’t stated clearly but is true is that members of RPX’s protection umbrella can use RPX’s patent portfolio to counter sue other non-members. Furthermore, I think if you join their protection umbrella they pursue acquiring patents that may be unique.

People want to to overhaul the patent system and/or the courts..err…what do you recommend?

]]> By: Apple Sued Over Mobile Safari Functioning!!! http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2546036 Apple Sued Over Mobile Safari Functioning!!! Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:49:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2546036 [...] At first glance, portions of it seem quite broad and quite obvious. Mobile browsers have been reformatting Web pages going back more than a decade. And the thrust of the patent seems to be focused on interactive television. But it looks like Apple has yet another patent lawsuit to contend with. (Now would be a good time for those guys at Rational Patent to try to sell Apple on its patent protection service). [...] [...] At first glance, portions of it seem quite broad and quite obvious. Mobile browsers have been reformatting Web pages going back more than a decade. And the thrust of the patent seems to be focused on interactive television. But it looks like Apple has yet another patent lawsuit to contend with. (Now would be a good time for those guys at Rational Patent to try to sell Apple on its patent protection service). [...]

]]> By: アップルのiPhoneブラウザを特許侵害で提訴、米EMG http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2545540 アップルのiPhoneブラウザを特許侵害で提訴、米EMG Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:57:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2545540 [...] パッと最初見ただけでは、特許の対象範囲はとても広く、とても明白に思える。が、モバイルブラウザがWebページを再フォーマットする技術なんて、もう10年以上も前からあるものだし、そもそも問題の特許の主眼目はインタラクティブTVのように思える。いずれにせよ、これでアップルにはまた対応すべき特許訴訟が1個増えた運びになる（Rational Patentにとってはアップルに特許保護サービスを売りつける良いタイミングかも）。 [...] [...] パッと最初見ただけでは、特許の対象範囲はとても広く、とても明白に思える。が、モバイルブラウザがWebページを再フォーマットする技術なんて、もう10年以上も前からあるものだし、そもそも問題の特許の主眼目はインタラクティブTVのように思える。いずれにせよ、これでアップルにはまた対応すべき特許訴訟が1個増えた運びになる（Rational Patentにとってはアップルに特許保護サービスを売りつける良いタイミングかも）。 [...]

]]> By: Luther http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2545505 Luther Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:19:35 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2545505 If patent trolls can use the courts like Don Vito Corleone used Luca Brasi to "make offers people can't refuse," then there may be something wrong with the court system and the price of litigation. If patent trolls can use the courts like Don Vito Corleone used Luca Brasi to “make offers people can’t refuse,” then there may be something wrong with the court system and the price of litigation.

]]> By: passerby http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2545478 passerby Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:59:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2545478 "protection racket - form of racket in which criminals demand money from businesses in exchange for the service of "protection" against crimes that the racketeers themselves instigate if unpaid" “protection racket – form of racket in which criminals demand money from businesses in exchange for the service of “protection” against crimes that the racketeers themselves instigate if unpaid”

]]> By: Mike http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2545457 Mike Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:40:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2545457 As described in this article, the business makes no sense. The part about the company buying patents and licensing the portfolio makes no sense without a threat of infringement. The only part that makes a little sense is a hidden licensing service. E.g., Cisco takes a license on the company's pool of 100 patents with royalties to the company, which itself pays secondary royalties to the original owners. That part is a service for patent owners to get income from licensing revenue without having to do the leg-work of finding licensees. But the pool will probably contain crap patents because no company is going to throw its key patents into an indiscriminate pool (thereby giving its main competitors freedom-to-practice) and take a small royalty. Patent trolls aren't going to license their key patents either. It looks like a scam that plays off uninformed and growing fears of infringement. Just buy litigation insurance. As described in this article, the business makes no sense. The part about the company buying patents and licensing the portfolio makes no sense without a threat of infringement. The only part that makes a little sense is a hidden licensing service. E.g., Cisco takes a license on the company’s pool of 100 patents with royalties to the company, which itself pays secondary royalties to the original owners. That part is a service for patent owners to get income from licensing revenue without having to do the leg-work of finding licensees. But the pool will probably contain crap patents because no company is going to throw its key patents into an indiscriminate pool (thereby giving its main competitors freedom-to-practice) and take a small royalty. Patent trolls aren’t going to license their key patents either. It looks like a scam that plays off uninformed and growing fears of infringement. Just buy litigation insurance.

]]> By: Apple Slapped With Patent Suit Over iPhone’s Browser http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2545447 Apple Slapped With Patent Suit Over iPhone’s Browser Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:32:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2545447 [...] At first glance, portions of it seem quite broad and quite obvious. Mobile browsers have been reformatting Web pages going back more than a decade. And the thrust of the patent seems to be focused on interactive television. But it looks like Apple has yet another patent lawsuit to contend with. (Now would be a good time for those guys at Rational Patent to try to sell Apple on its patent protection service). [...] [...] At first glance, portions of it seem quite broad and quite obvious. Mobile browsers have been reformatting Web pages going back more than a decade. And the thrust of the patent seems to be focused on interactive television. But it looks like Apple has yet another patent lawsuit to contend with. (Now would be a good time for those guys at Rational Patent to try to sell Apple on its patent protection service). [...]

]]> By: Luther http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2545445 Luther Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:32:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2545445 IBM is a patent troll. The following article is most informative. http://www.hosteny.com/archive/Hosteny%2005-06.pdf IBM is a patent troll. The following article is most informative.

http://www.host...eny%2005-06.pdf

]]> By: v http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2545439 v Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:23:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2545439 not sure I understand the paragraph below. if they promise never to sue anyone under the patents RPX acquires, what's the incentive to take the license at all? in order for the business model to work - it must sign up licensees that would have otherwise been afraid of a suit. how is this more benign than IV? not sure I understand the paragraph below. if they promise never to sue anyone under the patents RPX acquires, what’s the incentive to take the license at all? in order for the business model to work – it must sign up licensees that would have otherwise been afraid of a suit. how is this more benign than IV?

]]> By: tom http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2545423 tom Mon, 24 Nov 2008 19:01:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2545423 This really is disgusting. When will the patent system be reformed and these kind of pratices outlawed? *Sigh* This really is disgusting. When will the patent system be reformed and these kind of pratices outlawed? *Sigh*

]]> By: Eduardo http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2545400 Eduardo Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:36:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2545400 Don't worry, sooner or later a lot of companies will just start doing the same, strange IBM does not do it already rather than waiting for something like this, stupid, a company that has money should buy buy and basically close everyone else out. Oh wait maybe better is to fix the patent and copyright laws we have now, but that just fantasy thinking on my part. Don’t worry, sooner or later a lot of companies will just start doing the same, strange IBM does not do it already rather than waiting for something like this, stupid, a company that has money should buy buy and basically close everyone else out. Oh wait maybe better is to fix the patent and copyright laws we have now, but that just fantasy thinking on my part.

]]> By: Pandrogas http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2545356 Pandrogas Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:48:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2545356 Anyone else think that turning patents themselves into a niche industry / legalized racketeering operation kind of defeats the whole point of the patent system? I get that companies and people need to be paid for their work, but firms like this are profiting off from other people's ideas without actually putting in any of the work. In the end, this stifles free thought of other companies who may come to a similar solution without ever knowing there is a patent and thus be forced out of business by litigation. Even worse than that is the stifling of competition in the market for prolonged periods of time. The current patent system needs a serious overhaul and this practice of collecting and extorting patents needs to end very soon. Anyone else think that turning patents themselves into a niche industry / legalized racketeering operation kind of defeats the whole point of the patent system?

I get that companies and people need to be paid for their work, but firms like this are profiting off from other people’s ideas without actually putting in any of the work. In the end, this stifles free thought of other companies who may come to a similar solution without ever knowing there is a patent and thus be forced out of business by litigation. Even worse than that is the stifling of competition in the market for prolonged periods of time.

The current patent system needs a serious overhaul and this practice of collecting and extorting patents needs to end very soon.

]]> By: Dealyzer http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/11/24/is-rpxs-defensive-patent-aggregation-simply-patent-extortion-by-another-name/comment-page-1/#comment-2545293 Dealyzer Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:00:10 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=30069#comment-2545293 Yeah right! Yeah right!

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