Could someone explain what the thing with East Texas is?
A district where juries and judges are more favorable than usual towards patents? This sound kind-of ridiculous, no? Can't the defending companies find similar anti-patent areas and file counter-suites there?
> Could someone explain what the thing with East Texas is? A district where juries and judges are more favorable than usual towards patents?
It started a bit randomly, based on the politics of the region the judges/juries were slightly more favorable toward patents than anywhere else. Then it became self perpetuating since it helps the local economy & the judges own careers.
> This sound kind-of ridiculous, no?
Absolutely ridiculous. Patents are federal law, but 1 small region is effectively making serious changes to that legislation.
> Can't the defending companies find similar anti-patent areas and file counter-suites there?
They do. There are a range of locations, never in east texas. No one place has emerged as THE anti-patent location. For example, Microsoft files suit in Seattle since it's based there, has influence, people want it to win since it's a benefit to their local economy, etc.
A district where juries and judges are more favorable than usual towards patents? This sound kind-of ridiculous, no? Can't the defending companies find similar anti-patent areas and file counter-suites there?