Patent trollin’: patent holdings company KT Imaging sues Apple

Another day, another lawsuit. As noted by AppleInsider, patent holdings company (a “patent troll,” in my opinion) KT Imaging is suing Apple for allegedly infringing on intellectual property covering image sensor packages and designs.

About the lawsuit

Lodged with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas on Tuesday, KTI’s complaint alleges infringement of five owned patents developed by Kingpak Technology, a Taiwanese IC packaging supplier with a specialization in CMOS image sensors.They involve detailing image sensor structures and methods of manufacturing such components. 

What’s a patent troll?

A patent holding company exists to hold patents on behalf of one or more other companies but does not necessarily manufacture products or supply services based upon the patents held. Many folks, like me, consider such companies to be patent trolls. 

A patent troll is an individual or an organization that purchases and holds patents for unscrupulous purposes such as stifling competition or launching patent infringement suits. In legal terms, a patent troll is a type of non-practicing entity: someone who holds a patent but is not involved in the design or manufacture of any product.