The Jordan Harbinger Show 326: Austin Meyer | Slaying the Patent Scam Trolls
Mar 17, 2020
Austin Meyer, the innovative mind behind the X-Plane flight simulator, shares his battle against patent trolls, revealing how they exploit legal loopholes to extort businesses. He discusses the alarming reality that almost anyone can become a target, and recounts his personal confrontations with these trolls. The conversation also sheds light on the absurdities of current patent laws and the impact of frivolous lawsuits on innovation. Austin advocates for stronger protections for creators and highlights the power of networking in combating these predatory practices.
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Unexpected Lawsuit
- Austin Meyer, creator of X-Plane, received a call informing him about a patent infringement lawsuit he was unaware of.
- The caller offered legal representation, claiming the defense would cost around $3 million.
Patent Troll Strategy
- Patent trolls often target smaller businesses first because they are less likely to afford the high legal costs of defense.
- After securing settlements from smaller entities, they target larger corporations, claiming their patents are valid.
The Actual Infringement
- Austin Meyer's lawsuit wasn't about X-Plane infringing on another flight simulator.
- It was about the app's presence on Google App Store, which uses a system of checking for payment, allegedly infringing on a vague patent.