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Is it still a thing for patent trolls to have a 80 sq ft "business office" with no staff somewhere in east texas, and to file suits there?

https://www.google.com/search?client=ubuntu&channel=fs&q=eas...

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Yes, just like any company with a virtual office. But the Supreme Court in TC Heartland last year limited where patent suits can be filed. Now, a _defendant_ needs a physical presence in east Texas to be sued there. Only big box retailers with stores in east Texas towns, or companies with headquarters / offices / storefronts in Dallas suburbs like Frisco or Plano, can be sued there. The virtual office for the patent owner no longer had any effect on the suit being proper in east Texas.

Do you know how it works if a US troll sues a company outside the US?

Assuming you mean filing a lawsuit for infringement of a US patent, a foreign company can be sued in any federal district court in the US. It is a special case.

IANAL, but they can only sue for infringement that takes place within the US. A German company selling to Indian customers can’t be sued in the US.

But German company selling to US customers can, right? Does that mean the company needs to defend itself on US court?

Generally yes.

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