Wi-Fi Network

While mobile device patent battles have recently gained a ton of publicity in the last years, there's one thing these devices all run on: Wi-Fi. Nothing reiterates this better than the Wi-Fi patent battle between Innovatio IP Ventures LLC and three companies, namely Cisco Systems (News - Alert) Inc., NetGear Inc. and Motorola Solutions Inc.

These companies aren't the only ones who have to suffer from litigation blues. Apparently, Innovatio is targeting hotels and eating establishments for the same reason: They allegedly violated its patents in one way or another. The company lacks a website, and it seems that it was created simply to prey on other businesses, targeting their financial assets, and claiming that their patents are being violated for one reason or another.

In the aforementioned patent war, Innovatio has received a ruling from a federal court judge awarding it the rights to 9.56 cents for each chip produced under the contested patents by wireless companies Cisco, NetGear, and Motorola. The ruling was issued in October 3, and also included HP (Hewlett-Packard Co.), Dell (News - Alert) and several businesses that bought Wi-Fi equipment produced by these manufacturers. You read this correctly: Innovatio was also suing businesses that purchased the devices in question, in good faith.

There's no question, however, that the royalties that Wi-Fi manufacturers will have to pay may be justified. The only matter that really puts people on the edge of their seats is the fact that Innovatio sued hotel establishments and other small businesses for using these devices.

According to The Patent Examiner, the businesses that purchased Wi-Fi equipment that violated these patents should pay their “fair share” of anywhere between $2,300 and $5,000 for offering Wi-Fi services using these devices within their premises. If this isn't patent trolling, then it must be something much more ludicrous.