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from the I-prefer-online-venue-shopping dept.
Arthur T Knackerbracket has found the following story:
The legal case of TC Heartland v Kraft Foods may appear to have very little to do with technology, but it could make life a lot harder for patent trolls – thanks to a US Supreme Court decision on Thursday.
The case between the two was brought by Kraft over its Mio Water Enhancer, a mixture of salt and flavorings for those who find regular water too dull. TC Heartland makes a similar product and Kraft contended that some of its intellectual property has been used to make the rival product.
Kraft wanted the case heard in Delaware, a state which has little to do with either company but is a notoriously patent-friendly venue. TC Heartland wants the venue to be in its home state, and has appealed an earlier ruling on the matter.
On Wednesday the Supremes granted certiorari [PDF] to the case, meaning it is on the schedule to be considered. If they rule in TC Heartland's favor, it will eliminate the practice of venue shopping, where companies bring cases in districts where some judges are more favorable and they think they have a better chance of winning.
-- submitted from IRC
(Score: 4, Insightful) by DannyB on Thursday December 22 2016, @08:14PM
> I don't understand why these suits were allowed to be filed in the wrong jurisdiction in the first place.
Because if patent troll lawsuits were to be disposed of early, lawyers (on both sides) would make less money.
I hope that clears it up. That concludes this tech support call. Please take the automated survey at the end of this call. (annoying music on hold . . .)
If your boy is chewing on electrical cords, then ground him until he conducts himself properly.