Trolls exploit FCC loophole to sue small businesses

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.