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Has MakerBot acted on any of these patents? If they are acquiring them defensively (a good move if they plan on working on them, lest a patent troll file the patent), I don't have a big problem with this. Of course, assuming altruistic motives is naive, I just wonder what their motives are.

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As I posted above, Makerbot was bought by Stratasys. Now Stratasys is attacking Makerbot alternatives such as Afinia.

http://3dprintingindustry.com/2013/11/26/stratasys-throws-cu...

It doesn't matter. Without a legally-binding pledge limiting the patents to be used only defensively, there is a chilling effect on innovators in the space. The threat of a lawsuit discourages development and investment.

That's true, although even a non-legally binding pledge (do pledges like that exist? IANAL, but from my time in law school, seems like the best solution would be to set up a foundation with a goal of using patents defensively and filing it under its name or something) is better than a troll filing the patent, in my opinion

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