Any casual observer of tech policy has likely heard of patent trolls, companies that acquire patents with the intent to sue potential violators rather than actually produce a product. These litigious conspirators hurt innovation by dragging inventors and small businesses to court over often bogus claims.

A similar legal scheme has taken flight in recent years with telemarketers. Yet it has received very little attention — likely because, well, nobody likes being solicited on the phone. Nonetheless, the negative consequences are the same as with patent trolls: harming vulnerable entrepreneurs and businesses trying to make a honest living.