If someone sues your company for infringement and your lawyer refers to them as a “patent troll,” that makes sense. However, just because he calls them a name doesn’t make it true. Just because your company’s lawyer calls someone a name doesn’t mean that you aren’t infringing. Calling someone a name and then believing in your own slur is like a soccer player taking a flop.

A flop is a farce that, although legal, is bad for the sport. Using the term “patent troll” is understandable, but it is also harmful to the patent system.