Cisco target of 20 patent troll lawsuits

According to research by PatentFreedom - a firm that offers operating companies like Cisco comprehensive research information regarding the activities, history, techniques, staff, funding, and patent holdings of patent trolls, Cisco has been the target of 20 patent troll lawsuits since 2004:

Please keep in mind that in the polite circles of the patent industry, patent trolls are referred to as being non-practicing entities (NPEs). Interestingly, the blue-chip venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers has invested in a patent troll lawsuit protection startup called RPX Corporation, which counts Cisco as one of its operating company clients.

With its investment in RPX, it appears Kleiner Perkins may have funded a patent troll protection racket according to a report in The New York Times:

"RPX is also using its initial financing from the venture capitalists to buy patents that will bring it to the attention of potential members. For example, it purchased licenses to a patent from Acacia Research, one of the leading companies that buys patents for financial gain, that relates to an encryption method used for digital discs. Acacia had sued 18 electronics makers claiming the Blu-ray system infringes on this patent. That deal helped encourage Panasonic, Samsung, LG and Philips to join RPX.

"RPX itself won’t file suits to exploit the value of what it buys, it may resell the patents to investors after it has licensed them to RPX members. In some cases, it has bought a limited number of licenses to a certain patent, with the option to buy more, so it can make sure RPX members can use the technology while leaving the patent owner free to negotiate with or sue others."

Astonishingly, Law.com states:

"Acacia Research Corp., perhaps the patent troll poster child."

It certainly appears to yours truly that RPX Corporation and the patent trolls (from whom RPX is paid to protect its clients) have a mutual interest in making sure each other thrive!

What's your take, have the patent trolls bested Cisco by inducing it to join a protection racket which appears to actually be in cahoots with the patent trolls Cisco fears?

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• Cisco
• Data Center
• LANs / WANs
• Security
• VoIP / Convergence
• Wireless / Mobile
• Have the patent trolls bested Cisco
• Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers has invested in a patent troll lawsuit protection startup called RPX Corporation
• PatentFreedom
• Purchased licenses to a patent from Acacia Research
• The patent trolls Cisco fears