[sandworm101]

>> As a small shop, I am particularly afraid of trolls shutting us down overnight with basically no recourse.

I be more scared of non-trolls who own giant catalogues of patents. The giant companies will shut you down just as fast as any "troll". Try to invent any device with a touchscreen and an internet connection. It won't be trolls knocking on your door, but lawyers from Samsung, Apple and Microsoft.

[theturtletalks]

How do companies like FairPhone exist then?

[borgunit2]

Well we exist too, but it makes it a tiny bit harder to sleep at night having nightmares about trolls. Thankfully we haven’t been targeted.

I do think a better system exists, and I’m all ears for any ideas around patent reform/USPTO funding.

[theturtletalks]

Wait so you and FairPhone could get sued by a patent for a small screen with internet?

[borgunit2]

IANAL, but I feel like everything has basically been patented these days. The wording in many is so vague.

They would probably be thrown out in court, but that takes time and money. Small startups have very little of either.

I am really just pointing out that we need patent reform and better enforcement very badly.

[verall]

I assume by a combination of:

- Not a serious competitor

- Based in Europe

- Bad PR to shut down a company trying to create a cruelty-free smartphone