How to deal with patent trolls?

I am currently working in a leadership role at a start-up based in north Jersey. We have made a lot of progress since June and were ready to launch when we were served at our impromptu office about a 7 weeks ago. The lawsuit alleges that we are in breach because of our use of PHP scripts. To make matters worse, I have been unable to get in contact with the company suing us. Earlier today, we were served papers again from another company that has the same address as the first one. I have no idea what to do. IP lawyers are not cheap and every single one I have called wants a 5 figure retainer.

I am actually fairly familiar with firms that buy troves of patents so they can extort firms, but I am unsure how they know about our start-up since we haven't launched. I am suspicious of the hosting company because the first lawsuit came about a week after we uploaded our server side script.

8 Comments
 

Im pretty sure that the enity has to be reachable for a lawsuit to be enforceable.

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 

I don't know how it would be possible for them to enforce a lawsuit if you can't contact them. Most patent trolls try to settle for less than the cost of retaining a lawyer. There also may be some resources that your school has to offer.

Reality hits you hard, bro...
 
Virginia Tech 4everCase in point for lawsuit reform. Loser pays.
That can quickly turn into 'dude that sued a guy who could afford an awesome lawyer pays'
If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

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