[kizel]

Interesting comments, thanks everyone.

So, is it that generally start-ups just don't patent?

We've discovered two main things: Generally when companies start getting traction, they become a target for patent suits (i.e. Foursquare). Secondly, for start-ups that do have patents and end up going under, their IP is often sold to trolls and eventually can circle back around to hurt other start-ups.

We want to help stop this by building a crowd sourced defensive patent pool, where everyone who does have patents comes together and agrees they will not assert against each other. Assuming start-ups have patents, is this not something they want? Or do we not have the right model?