I thought your stereotypical patent troll wasn't a firm with access to top notch legal resources, just some people slinging enough shit that eventually it stuck? This would be pretty firmly different, right?
That depends who you ask, but there are two types of trolls. The first, as you describe, basically extort small settlements out of companies using garbage patents--the classic example being the guys who sued small businesses for using a fax machine.
The second are non-practicing entities that buy at least half-way decent portfolios for cheap and then sue big businesses for big settlements or big jury verdicts. Their lawyers can be very good.
The second are non-practicing entities that buy at least half-way decent portfolios for cheap and then sue big businesses for big settlements or big jury verdicts. Their lawyers can be very good.