The Cryptocurrency Open Patent Alliance (COPA) has partnered with Unified Patents to introduce the Blockchain Zone, a new initiative aimed at protecting blockchain developers from “patent trolls.”
This initiative specifically targets non-practicing entities (NPEs), which possess patents without actively developing products and frequently exploit the high costs of litigation to coerce companies into costly settlements.
Safeguarding Blockchain Innovators
As stated in the announcement, NPEs represent 58% of patent cases in the U.S., a statistic that has remained constant for five years. COPA’s Blockchain Zone collaborates with over 300 companies committed to curtailing NPE actions and defending blockchain technologies against unfounded legal claims.
Steve Lee, Lead at Spiral and a COPA member, emphasized the organization’s ongoing efforts, referencing their previous attempts to challenge incorrect intellectual property claims surrounding Bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
“COPA has worked diligently to lower obstacles to crypto innovation. Now, we advance COPA’s mission further by shielding the crypto community from patent trolls.”
Litigation related to patents can be both costly and protracted, often resulting in settlements that impede the progress of smaller firms and innovators in the sector. Blockchain Zone aims to address this issue by implementing a defensive strategy that protects developers and companies from frivolous lawsuits.
Paul Grewal, CLO at Coinbase and a COPA member, stressed the importance of eliminating these barriers, stating,
“Patent trolls are impediments to innovation; they obstruct technological advancement and suppress creativity, especially in the rapidly-changing cryptocurrency landscape.”
COPA will also provide members with pass-through protection at no charge, shielding blockchain businesses from unnecessary and expensive legal disputes. This is crucial for smaller developers, who may lack the resources to engage in prolonged legal battles.
Unified Patents
Unified Patents has a proven history of effectively challenging patents that threaten innovation. Its Transactions Zone, which is dedicated to safeguarding electronic transactions, online bill payments, and authentication technologies, has successfully contested numerous patent claims. The new initiative is anticipated to follow this successful path, ensuring that blockchain technology remains open and available.
“We’re excited to collaborate with COPA to deliver our unique solution to the blockchain community,” said Kevin Jakel, founder and CEO of Unified Patents.
He characterized the partnership as a significant opportunity to shield blockchain technology from baseless patent claims, allowing businesses to expand and lower transaction costs without legal obstacles.
Unlike many other organizations, Unified Patents is committed to never compensating NPEs for patent licenses, thus eliminating any financial incentives that could foster further activity.
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