RPX corporation
Encyclopedia
RPX Corporation is a provider of patent risk management solutions, offering defensive buying, acquisition syndication, patent intelligence and advisory services. Since the company was founded in March, 2008, RPX claims to have introduced efficiency to the patent market by providing a rational alternative to litigation. Based in San Francisco, RPX's approach combines principal capital, deep patent expertise, and client contributions to generate enhanced patent buying power. By acquiring patents that pose potential problems and providing valuable intelligence to its clients, RPX seeks to reduce patent assertions directed at its growing client network.
An important component of RPX's market-based solution to the patent litigation problem is its Defensive Patent Aggregation
. The RPX defensive patent aggregation service was created to mitigate clients’ risk of litigation from non-practicing entities (NPEs) -- also called patent trolls -- which acquire patents for the sole purpose of licensing and asserting their patent rights.
RPX identifies and purchases patent assets of high value, relevance and risk that could be used offensively against members of the company's client network. Depending on the situation, RPX may acquire assets from a third party or directly from an NPE. When necessary and possible, RPX will buy patent rights out of an active litigation.
RPX promises to never assert or litigate the patents in its portfolio.
RPX clients receive a license to all of the patents and associated rights aggregated in the RPX portfolio. Over time, RPX clients receive perpetual license to the patents held when they became members or purchased after they joined, as well as any patents sold during their membership.
The service is structured on an annual membership. Fees range from $60,000 to $6.6 million depending on company size. Annual membership fees may increase each year to account for the growing value of the RPX portfolio, but early-joining members lock in a lower rate. Nonetheless, companies that join the RPX client network later receive the same benefits, paying then-current rates.
RPX began publicly trading on the NASDAQ exchange in May 2011. The company was initially financed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Charles River Ventures, and Index Ventures
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Since the company was founded in March 2008, RPX has invested more than $300 million in over 1,800 patents and patent rights in the mobile, Internet search and RFID markets
To date, RPX has invested more than $300 million in over 1,800 patents, and has resolved 23 litigations for its clients resulting in more than 160 dismissals.
As of June 30, 2011, RPX has 96 clients in its client network.
An important component of RPX's market-based solution to the patent litigation problem is its Defensive Patent Aggregation
Defensive patent aggregation
A defensive patent aggregation is the purchasing of patents or patent rights to keep such patents out of the hands of entities that would assert them against operating companies...
. The RPX defensive patent aggregation service was created to mitigate clients’ risk of litigation from non-practicing entities (NPEs) -- also called patent trolls -- which acquire patents for the sole purpose of licensing and asserting their patent rights.
RPX identifies and purchases patent assets of high value, relevance and risk that could be used offensively against members of the company's client network. Depending on the situation, RPX may acquire assets from a third party or directly from an NPE. When necessary and possible, RPX will buy patent rights out of an active litigation.
RPX promises to never assert or litigate the patents in its portfolio.
Business
RPX's service is designed to mitigate members’ litigation risk and costs from NPEs by purchasing patent rights off the open market.RPX clients receive a license to all of the patents and associated rights aggregated in the RPX portfolio. Over time, RPX clients receive perpetual license to the patents held when they became members or purchased after they joined, as well as any patents sold during their membership.
The service is structured on an annual membership. Fees range from $60,000 to $6.6 million depending on company size. Annual membership fees may increase each year to account for the growing value of the RPX portfolio, but early-joining members lock in a lower rate. Nonetheless, companies that join the RPX client network later receive the same benefits, paying then-current rates.
RPX began publicly trading on the NASDAQ exchange in May 2011. The company was initially financed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Charles River Ventures, and Index Ventures
Index Ventures
Index Ventures is a venture capital investment firm based in Geneva, Switzerland, with offices in London, Jersey, and starting in 2011, Silcon Valley. The firm was founded in 1996 by Neil Rimer and Giuseppe Zocco. Since its inception, the firm has raised four main venture funds and a growth...
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Since the company was founded in March 2008, RPX has invested more than $300 million in over 1,800 patents and patent rights in the mobile, Internet search and RFID markets
To date, RPX has invested more than $300 million in over 1,800 patents, and has resolved 23 litigations for its clients resulting in more than 160 dismissals.
As of June 30, 2011, RPX has 96 clients in its client network.
Officers
- John A. Amster, CEO
- Geoffrey T. Barker, Chief Operating Officer
- Eran Zur, President
See also
- Defensive Patent AggregationDefensive patent aggregationA defensive patent aggregation is the purchasing of patents or patent rights to keep such patents out of the hands of entities that would assert them against operating companies...
- Patent trollPatent trollPatent troll is a pejorative but questioned term used for a person or company who is a non-practicing inventor, and buys and enforces patents against one or more alleged infringers in a manner considered by the target or observers as unduly aggressive or opportunistic, often with no intention to...
- Allied Security TrustAllied Security TrustAllied Security Trust is a member based patent holding company that helps protect members from patent infringement lawsuits by non-practicing entities.-Business:...
- Open Invention NetworkOpen Invention NetworkThe Open Invention Network is a company that acquires patents and licenses them royalty free to entities which, in turn, agree not to assert their own patents against Linux and Linux-related systems and applications.-History:...