Tag Archives: Patent trolls

Are the Patent Trolls Vulnerable to Antitrust Claims?

Photo of Bill DeVinneyBy Bill DeVinney on Posted in Patents
We previously wrote about the nascent efforts of legislators, regulators, and representa­tives of technology-dependent industries to use the antitrust laws, such as Section 2 of the Sherman Act or Section 7 of the Clayton Act, to rein in perceived abuses by patent aggrega­tion entities (“PAEs”), more commonly known as patent trolls. One potential difficulty in … Continue Reading

Patent Trolls, Anti-Trolls, and Antitrust Law Collide in Patent Licensing Dispute

Photo of Bill DeVinneyBy Bill DeVinney on Posted in Antitrust Litigation, Patents, Sherman Act 1
We previously wrote that regulators are considering using antitrust laws to reign in perceived abuses by non-practicing entities or, more familiarly, “patent trolls” – entities that purchase the rights to patents not to practice the patents but to enforce them through licensing or litigation.  In a recent case, antitrust laws are taking center stage in … Continue Reading

Update: Are the Regulators Coming for the Patent Trolls?

Photo of Bill DeVinneyBy Bill DeVinney on Posted in Patents
  We recently wrote about a workshop held by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to discuss perceived abuses by patent acquisition entities.  The workshop included a panel discussion about whether the potential harm to innovation and competition caused by PAEs, particularly with regard to patent aggregators who may acquire market power, or … Continue Reading

Are the Regulators Coming after the Patent Trolls?

Photo of Bill DeVinneyBy Bill DeVinney on Posted in Government Investigations, Patents
FTC and DOJ discuss antitrust implications of patent acquisition entities The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice recently held a workshop to discuss the effects of patent assertion entities (PAEs) on innovation and competition.  A PAE, more commonly, and more colorfully, known as a patent troll, is an entity that buys patent rights … Continue Reading
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