patent troll
Lawsuit-wielding non-producer
A patent troll is a company or individual that acquires patents not to develop products but to sue others for infringement or extract licensing fees.
The troll buys up broad or vague patents, then targets businesses actually making things, demanding settlements cheaper than litigation.
The term is derogatory: Patent trolls cost the tech industry billions annually.
Also called a non-practicing entity or NPE in more neutral language.
Exploiting the vulnerable
- parasiticExploiting a host organism
- exploitativeUnfairly using others' vulnerabilities
- abusiveCausing harm or insult
- rent-seekingGaining through system manipulation
opportunistic · profiteering · shakedown · nuisance · antagonistic · manipulative · overreaching · unethical
Confident statement of fact
- hold-upRobbery or delay
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- mass mailingLarge-scale postal distribution
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
Civil court proceeding
- court filingDocument submitted to tribunal
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- damagesCompensation for injury
- injunctionCourt-ordered behavioral requirement
plaintiff · defendant · cease and desist · complaint · jurisdiction · trial · judgment · appeal
Payments for usage rights
- royaltiesOngoing payments to creators
- monetizationConverting something into revenue
- lump-sum paymentFull amount paid immediately
- revenue streamContinuous source of earnings
Inactive firm for transactions
- holding companyBusiness owning other businesses
- shell corporationLegally registered but inactive business
- aggregatorCombines content from sources
- acquirerOne who obtains possession
predatory
Exploiting the vulnerable
- parasiticExploiting a host organism
- exploitativeUnfairly using others' vulnerabilities
- abusiveCausing harm or insult
rent-seeking · opportunistic · profiteering · shakedown · nuisance · antagonistic · manipulative · overreaching · unethical · detrimental
assertion
Confident statement of fact
- hold-upRobbery or delay
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- mass mailingLarge-scale postal distribution
lawsuit
Civil court proceeding
- court filingDocument submitted to tribunal
- settlementResolved dispute or colony
- damagesCompensation for injury
injunction · plaintiff · defendant · cease and desist · complaint · jurisdiction · trial · judgment · appeal · legal fees
licensing fees
Payments for usage rights
- royaltiesOngoing payments to creators
- monetizationConverting something into revenue
- lump-sum paymentFull amount paid immediately
shell company
Inactive firm for transactions
- holding companyBusiness owning other businesses
- shell corporationLegally registered but inactive business
- aggregatorCombines content from sources
- intellectual propertycopyright, trademark, trademarks, copyrights, IP rights
- patent holdersinventor, assignee, licensor, individual
- IP lawcopyright, trademark, trademarks, trademark law, copyright law
- patent lawprior art, invalidity, claims, inducement, contributory
- patentsUSPTO, EPO, PCT
- Crookscrook, swindler, fraudster, embezzler, con artist
patent trollinventor
Creator of original devices
innovator · creator · manufacturer · startup founder · Thomas Edison
troll, patent, patented, patents, patenting, patentable, unpatented, patentability, patent holder