When Patents Attack – Part Two
thisamericanlife.org
thisamericanlife.org
The story follows a software patent that was bought by Intellectual Ventures (Nathan Myhrvold's patent troll company) and subsequently used to sue a number of tech companies. Most of the companies settled, but two of the companies fought back and... I don't want to spoil the ending for you.
The first part of the story is a repeat of a segment that originally aired in 2011, but left a lot of questions unanswered. The second half ties up the loose ends. The current episode is called "Part Two", but actually includes both parts.
http://www.publicradiofan.com/cgibin/program.pl?programid=28
This is especially useful with the NPR app.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/05/help-save-podcasting
On another note, it's nice to see Nathan Myhrvold getting called out as the patent troll he so clearly is, despite the bogus persona of a modern renaissance man he so carefully cultivates.
Someone owns a patent for public wifi and is sueing coffee shops. They aren't going after private individuals yet.
Basically, now that people found out how profitable it is being in the patent troll business, it has gotten even bigger.
I never really bought Intellectual Ventures argument that they aren't a patent troll, but after hearing about the shell company they set up and the 90% cut IV gets of any settlements, it's shameful.
When I have enough money I'm going to make a donation. From Australia.
Edit: Nvm there I am, at 51:34!