Patent Battles Heat Up

E-commerce technology patent holders are aggressively targeting retailers with annual web sales that range from about $180 million to $20 million or less. In some cases, these web retailers tell Internet Retailer, they’ve been sent as many as 10 e-commerce technology patent infringement letters in the last 12 months. “Many of these companies seeking damages or a licensing agreement from smaller retailers are targeting them because oftentimes they don’t have any in-house counsel or their company lawyer is typically focused on other trends," said Intellectual Property Partner Dave Donoghue. "These small retailers usually don’t have an expertise in dealing with patent law.”