> If you believe patents make any economic sense

~80% of programmers don't think software patents make sense. Did you see the design patents at issue here? It's literally rounded edges and a grid-like UI for apps.

>then the term patent troll is basically just an epithet meant for rhetorical effect.

The term came about due to corporate lawyers taking issue with using the term "extortionists".

> They're simply exposing fundamental flaws in the patent system. I fear that focusing on so-called patent trolls will simply result in superficial legislative and judicial solutions.

Agreed, we should settle for nothing less than ending patents on software, especially when the cost of reproduction is nil.