You must be careful about doing research into patents yourself (as a founder or engineer). If it can be proven that you had prior knowledge of a patent, then you may be liable for treble damages.
> "For one, I refuse to subscribe to the idea that it's OK to run away from the problem and let patent trolls win by default."
Patent trolls "win" by extracting money from companies producing/doing actual things; see the recent Newegg case and many others. If you are thinking about creating a company or innovative product, and also decide to launch said company/product outside of the U.S., then you effectively deny them battle. You cannot lose a battle that you do not fight.
"He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious." - Sun Tzu