I still think patents shouldn't be allowed without a working product to support it. Even if it is still in the development process, a patent should require at least a rough example or proof of an attempt at the development of the intended idea.
The US Patent Office is just another example of how money makes more money. All I need to do is document the principles behind how something works (like breathing, for example), spend the money to patent the technology, and every person in the world would owe me for the air they breathe. This is an exaggeration, of course, but it still stands true.
Acacia documented the ideas for delivering motion video and sound and patented it, and then waited for others to develop it. Isn't it ironic that RCA hasn't been sued by Acacia for inventing the television? I can still "download" or "stream" video onto my television, but apparently that doesn't count?
Acacia can kiss my ass. They served me with a "Final Letter" (which also happened to be their first correspondence) with regard to a domain that I am not the registered owner of, to offer me a settlement of a percentage of my profit, or $1500/year, whichever was more. The only way that they could have associated me with that domain is by contact with one of the affiliate programs that I promote on that particular domain. Money (or intimidation) talks, huh?
I didn't even bother to answer them. Go ahead and sue. They can spend the money to hire a lawyer here, pay for the process server, and attempt to identify me as being the person that they seem to think I am.
Sadly, they are still making shitloads of cash from the people that would rather pay out than fight, and for that, their plan has worked.
Who says you actually have to "work" for a living?
Jere.