Eolas is a well-known “patent troll” entity. They claim to “own” the idea of interacting with images in a web browser, online video, search suggestions, and rotating an image. Such a claim may sound absurd (and it is), but as you can see in the excellent Wired article linked below it is a claim which has resulted in extensive legal proceedings and hundreds of millions of dollars.
This is a great example of why the patent system needs significant reform. The system needs to be pared back and tailored for the modern age, with elimination of all seed, gene, software, and business model patents.
Eolas is a well-known “patent troll” entity. They claim to “own” the idea of interacting with images in a web browser, online video, search suggestions, and rotating an image. Such a claim may sound absurd (and it is), but as you can see in the excellent Wired article linked below it is a claim which has resulted in extensive legal proceedings and hundreds of millions of dollars.
This is a great example of why the patent system needs significant reform. The system needs to be pared back and tailored for the modern age, with elimination of all seed, gene, software, and business model patents.
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/02/patent-troll-trial/