Ask HN: HELP Patent troll cruising my industry. What to do?

Re:Ask HN: HELP Patent troll cruising my industry. What to do? by vaksel on Friday January 09, 2009 @11:43PM (#427621)

You won't get trolled when you are small...and when you are a target, you'll be able to afford to pay them off.

But if you want to take a proactive approach, you can try contacting them, and asking them to let you license the stuff. It'll probably cost you some money, but probably not as much as you think.

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Re:Ask HN: HELP Patent troll cruising my industry. What to do? by marcus on Saturday January 10, 2009 @04:51AM (#427844)

Don't ever contact them first!!! you'll be admitting that you are knowingly infringing on their patent, which will put you in an awful position if they decide to pursue litigation. consult a lawyer before you do anything, and have him/her review everything you write to them.

Sorry about the exclamation marks but this is a really dangerous suggestion.

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Re:Ask HN: HELP Patent troll cruising my industry. What to do? by ankeshk on Saturday January 10, 2009 @03:12AM (#427788)

I don't think thats a good approach. If you contact them - you are starting a trail. You are letting everyone - especially them - know that you are infringing their patents. You are closing a big door for yourself for when they do end up suing you.

You don't want to approach them blind without knowing what kind of licensing agreements they've draw out for others. You don't want to be extorted.

Its best you start out getting a lawyer.

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