Imagine pouring your heart and soul into a groundbreaking invention, only to face a lawsuit from a company you have never heard of. This is the reality for many small businesses and startups dealing with patent trolls.
Non-practicing entities (NPEs) acquire patents solely to sue others for infringement. This practice can hinder innovation and create problems for entrepreneurs.
Patent trolls can harm your business
Patent trolls frequently target small businesses and startups, often lacking the resources for prolonged legal battles. This predatory behavior can have severe consequences:
- Financial strain: Legal fees and potential settlements can drain a company’s resources.
- Operational disruption: Dealing with lawsuits diverts time and energy from core business activities.
- Innovation hindrance: Fear of litigation may discourage companies from developing new products.
- Market entry barriers: Patent troll threats can prevent startups from entering certain markets.
In general, Texas has been a popular venue for patent infringement cases. Recent changes in the law have attempted to address this issue, but the problem persists.
Protecting your intellectual property
Before launching products, it is advisable to search for existing patents to protect your inventions. Document your work to prove you developed it independently. Build a strong patent portfolio and join industry groups that combat abusive patent litigation. These are just some measures you may take to defend your business against patent trolls.
Patent law is complex, and patent trolls are cunning. To effectively safeguard your innovations and counter threats, it is best to seek help from an experienced intellectual property attorney.