US: Patent troll who settled with NY sues FTC

MPHJ, the notorious company targeted by authorities in recent years for its “patent troll” business practices, has reportedly sued the Federal Trade Commission despite having settled with the New York attorney general over patent infringement.

MPHJ Technology Investments first entered the radar of antitrust officials when it began sending hundreds of letters to companies, accusing them of patent infringement and demanding loyalty payments; MPHJ acquired five technological patents for a single dollar.

While MPHJ settled with New York this week, agreeing to repay all patent licensees, the company has reportedly filed a lawsuit against the FTC – naming the four sitting Commissioners directly – accusing the regulator of overstepping its jurisdiction over MPHJ and violating the company’s constitutional rights by threatening to take legal action against MPHJ’s practices.

The lawsuit against the FTC was filed just prior to the regulator filing its federal complaint against MPHJ.

The lawsuit reveals MPHJ’s staff, which happens to be made up of a sole person: lawyer Jay Mac Rust.

Full Content: ArsTechnica

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