07.29.12
Gemini version available ♊︎Source Code Media Group an Orwellian Name for Patent Troll
Summary: Flagging of what appears to be a borderline troll in preparation for patent lawsuits
A few days ago we found this press release from the mysterious-named and rather obscure “Source Code Media Group”. The words are either comical or annoying, depending on one’s mood. It’s an LLC, just like many patent trolls, and the preceding abstract says: “Source Code Media Group LLC has announced its appointment of Zies, Widerman and Malek to represent the company in pursuing patent protection for its novel photo-sharing software app and system invention, Pikigram.” The company appears to be nothing but a press releases at this stage (the only search result).
“If one has an innovative idea, then one can implement it and make it grow popular.”They are then quoting controversial pro-software patents voices who monetise the bad policies [1, 2]. They say “Mr. Quinn, a recognized authority in the field of software patents and founder of industry website IPWatchdog, went on to say: “What makes Mr. Eldin’s invention particularly interesting is that it is not just an improvement on what already exists, but rather it represents a paradigm shift. Every once in a while a logjam of innovation is broken when someone takes a large step forward. That is what Mr. Eldin has done and I can easily see his innovation being incorporated into a variety of established platforms, such as Facebook, Flickr, Pinterest and others.””
Forcing one’s own ideas by litigation is not innovation. It’s just trolling. If one has an innovative idea, then one can implement it and make it grow popular. Litigation is not a business model on its own. █
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SourceCode said,
August 8, 2012 at 6:46 pm
Hi Roy,
My name is Medo Eldin and I am the President of Source Code Media Group, as noted in the press release.
I was taken aback by your article because it insinuates that we are potentially engaging in patent troll behavior.
This is not the case. We are building the system referenced in the press release and I assure you that nothing would make me happier than to launch the product and experience great success.
My decision to pursue patent protection stems from the fact that in a world of tech titans, the small guy is in more danger of having his work usurped than ever before. This danger is even more amplified for those businesses which attempt to explore joint venture opportunities for their product.
While it is certainly possible to build a business and grow it (as I have done throught my career), the tech industry of 2012 is unlike anything we’ve seen before. With billion dollar companies ruthlessly trying to vanquish each other, it just makes sense to stakeout what ever modest protection one can to protect one’s investment. I would go as a far as to say that I probably would not have decided to invest in this product where it not for the modest protection I am seeking. At least now when I sit down to speak with joint venture partners regarding commercialization, they’ll think twice before they show me the door and try and beat me market with their own product.
I do grant you that the press release was short on detail in terms of disclosing the product. However my phone is listed on the press release and if you had called me I would have been happy to answer your questions. This invitation stands.
I sincerely hope that you will consider removing this post because it casts my company in quite a negative light which hurts my prospects for success.
Thanks,
Medo Eldin
Dr. Roy Schestowitz Reply:
August 8th, 2012 at 7:56 pm
From what you are telling me the allegation of patent trolling is strengthened, not weakened. Whether it helps your “prospects for success” (at the expense of producing companies) is not my concern. I care about what’s correct.
It is possible — although you might be reluctant to accept it — that your strategic thinking is misguided.
Innovate (and produce), don’t litigate.
SourceCode said,
August 8, 2012 at 8:55 pm
Roy,
I can understand if you have a general objection to patent protection for software products. Reasonable people can disagree about this.
However your allegation relates to patent trolling which according to the Wikipedia, requires the company have no intention of building or commercializing the product.
(Patent troll is a pejorative term used for a person or company who enforces patents against one or more alleged infringers in a manner considered aggressive or opportunistic with no intention to manufacture or market the patented invention.[1]
Since we are building the product and will commercialize it, this is clearly not a case of patent trolling.
Dr. Roy Schestowitz Reply:
August 8th, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Nobody likes to admit that he or she is a patent troll. It’s a denial thing. Ask a terrorist, “are you a terrorist?” The answer is always “no”. And no, I’m not suggesting a parallel as such, it’s just an analogy.
You use the term “patent protection”, but it’s a euphemism. Patents are about offence, not protection.
SourceCode said,
August 8, 2012 at 9:27 pm
No comment on the commonly accepted Wikipedia definition for patent troll as it relates to this situation?