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So some patent troll is shaking down developers using a legalized form of extortion.

Shouldn't the Department of Justice have powers to investigate this sort of abuse of the patent system?

It's not abuse when codified in law. Until Congress changes the rules, it only feels like extortion.

No, I'm pretty comfortable calling this ethically repugnant and tantamount to extortion. Law does not make right.

You are absolutely correct, but "ethically repugnant and tantamount to extortion" are not crimes. Congress needs to change the laws so these behaviors are illegal.

Unfortunately, most legislators from my state seem to believe in business by extortion. I'm so frustrated with them I've given up even communicating with them. Does Hatch ring a bell? :(

One could find it ironic that such a morally conservative state produces such exploitative business and political practices.

For better or worse, that's how the system works today. DoJ will just conclude that it's legal.

Now certainly I don't like it - but the law is on their side, at least until/unless it gets changed.

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