patent trolling

English

Etymology

From patent troll, which is derived from patent + troll (“in folklore, a grotesque humanoid creature living in caves or hills, or under bridges”), a reference to trolls in folktales who block the path of travellers or threaten to harm them unless some payment is made.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈpætənt ˌtɹəʊlɪŋ/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈpætənt ˌtɹoʊlɪŋ/
• Hyphenation: pat‧ent troll‧ing

Noun

patent trolling (uncountable)

1. (patent law, informal, derogatory) The practice of owning and enforcing patents in an aggressive and opportunistic manner, often with no intention of marketing or promoting the subjects of the patents

Coordinate terms

• copyright trolling
• trademark trolling

Further reading

Patent troll on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

• “patent trolling, n.”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.