In the last several years, Patent Licensing & Enforcement Companies (PLECs) have been attacked on multiple sides by high tech companies, certain academics, government bureaucrats, the courts and elected officials.

 

The reason for this assault is simple - PLECs leveled the playing field and presented a material counterweight to the longstanding habitual theft of patented inventions owned by individuals, universities, private and small cap companies. Further, the development of PLECs increased the market for patents, increasing the value of patents for all owners. The proof of the value of PLECs is found in the actions of this who are crying the loudest about them - a number of theme have created their own PLECs or have partnered with established ones to generate returns from the patent assets.