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In a Thursday blog post, the CEO of Playsaurus wrote that the company that sent him the letter, GTX Corporation, is a “patent troll.” CEO Thomas Wolfley called GTX’s demands to avoid “costly litigation” over Playsaurus’ use of electronic “Rubies” in its games “meritless.”
In a brief phone interview with Ars on Friday, Wolfley told Ars that receiving the demand letter was disconcerting.
“I kind of feel like it’s as if someone walked into my home with a knife and asked me for $35,000, except it’s legal,” he said. “I’ve been stressed out this whole week.”
[...] In the blog post, Wolfley continued that GTX’s legal efforts were “abusive and unethical,” noting that $35,000 was half the annual salary of an employee. He also wrote:
As I am a major owner of Playsaurus, I see this as a personal attack, and the cost in my own time and well-being has already been significant and draining. It is a shame that the United States legal system can’t provide a quick and easy way for us to punish them for these actions.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by BsAtHome on Sunday March 04 2018, @12:33PM (1 child)
There is a fine line between legal assertion of a patent and the use of patents as extortionate weapons. The troll-business has long been known for the extortionate application. Even when asserting a patent is legal, there is a limit how you may present such assertion. I think we have seen the line crossed numerous times and are really into the extortion business here.
So, it may be time to apply some heavy handed tactics in reverse direction and actually enforce a case of extortion against the trolls to settle what limits there are.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by anubi on Sunday March 04 2018, @01:18PM
I think what we just read about is the whole idea behind all this "rights" legislation Congress is being urged to pass.
If someone armed with gun goes to someone and demands money, that's a crime. Not only that, the mark may retaliate... it does not take very many resources to wield a lethal weapon.
So, buy off some law, and use that. The mark likely cannot mount resources against you. You win. All nice and legal. Enforced if necessary by men who wield guns and wear a blue uniform, paid for by the public.
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]