Ugh, as much as Ubisoft suck for their DRM, patents are truly evil.

There's no doubt the patent system in the U.S. is broken and software patents are a problem.

Don't these trolls sometimes get sent packing by the courts? see Jagex vs. Paltalk

I for one am a fan of companies, like Jagex for example, that take a stand and make an example of these patent trolls. We need more.

As I understand it prior art still applies but for small to medium sized companies the costs of litigation are prohibitive.

I guess we could help by contacting our elected reps, start Twitter campaigns etc. but we have to pick our battles right? I mean now we have CISPA to worry about!

Some links re: software patents

Bilski, of course:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilski_v._Kappos

Jagex vs. Paltalk

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/122214/UKBased_RuneScape_Dev_Jagex_Wins_Paten
t_Infringement_Lawsuit.php

IP Watchdog on Patent trolls

http://www.ipwatchdog.com/patent-trolls/

Analysis of Bilski

http://www.bitlaw.com/software-patent/bilski-and-software-patents.html

Petition to the Whitehouse

https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/direct-patent-office-cease-issuing-so ftware-patents/vvNslSTq