About eighteen months ago, Lodsys, a firm often accused of being a “patent troll,” began threatening iOS developers with lawsuits related to its patent on in-app purchases. According to the firm, many mobile development firms have given in to those demands. “As of October 8, 2012, there are greater than 150 companies which obtained the rights to use the Lodsys Group patent portfolio, and more than 4 out of 5 of these companies have entered into licenses outside of the litigation process,” the company blog stated.
Apple disagrees with Lodsys’s assertion that app developers owe licensing fees. Apple says that because it pays licensing fees to Lodsys, developers that create apps for its platform should not have to do so. A trial concerning the issue is scheduled to start early next year.
