[tptacek]

No, I don't think so. My experience, having filed patents for fairly large companies with very well-respected IP attorneys, is that the process takes 6+ years to complete. That's probably outside the window of execution for most startups, and certainly outside the window of planning.

Furthermore, patent litigation adds a 1-2 year delay to resolving IP issues, and, in the event you actually litigate, adds a 6-7 figure price tag to the event.

With a very few exceptions, most startups proceed as if patent licensing issues were approximately the same kind of risk as lightning strikes. You would have a hard time convincing most savvy founders that any package of patent licenses was going to protect them from lightning strikes. Just having to go to court is a game-ender for most.

Patents are a marketing asset for startups and little else. There is only marginal value in marketing the patents you've merely licensed.