Summary: RPX, whose top executives are leaving and business is gradually dying, might end up as another 'asset' of patent trolls
TECHRIGHTS has been writing many articles about RPX, which marketed itself as "against trolls" even though its members were often troll feeders.
The management of RPX is meeting with a number of interested parties in a process that might lead to an eventual sale of the business, IAM understands. It is believed that an investment consortium led by IP monetisation specialist Erich Spangenberg is among those eyeing the defensive aggregator. Others to have been linked with a possible deal include Vector Capital, the private equity fund that owns IPValue and arguably knows the space as well as any buyout shop. It’s not clear if former CEO John Amster is involved in the process (he, Vector and Erich Spangenberg declined to comment for this article). RPX is being advised by GCA, which bills itself as an independent investment bank focused on the growth sectors of the global economy.
In order to find out, Lew Zaretzki of Hamilton IPV, and Conversant CEO Boris Teksler delved into the decisions handed down by the High Court in London and the US Central District of California Court, in combination with looking at the Court of Justice of the European Union’s 2015 decision in Huawei v ZTE and the approach to SEP/FRAND issues employed by the Chinese authorities and courts.