The Cryptocurrency Open Patent Alliance (COPA) has teamed up with Unified Patents to protect the crypto community from patent trolls, launching a new Blockchain Zone aimed at challenging patents held by non-practicing entities (NPEs) that could pose a threat to the open-source ecosystem.
According to Unified Patents, this partnership seeks to deter NPE activity in the crypto sector, where such entities are responsible for 58% of all US patent litigation. Paul Grewal, Chief Legal Officer at Coinbase and a COPA member, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating that patent trolls hinder innovation and impede progress in the fast-paced world of cryptocurrency.
Through this alliance, COPA members will receive pass-through protection at no cost, allowing them to innovate without the fear of unwarranted litigation. Steve Lee, Lead at Spiral, a subsidiary of Block and another COPA member, commended the initiative for its efforts to protect the crypto community from patent trolls and reduce barriers to innovation.
Unified Patents’ existing Transactions Zone has successfully challenged hundreds of patents threatening related technologies. The newly established Blockchain Zone will extend these efforts to the blockchain industry, ensuring that blockchain technologies remain open and free from baseless assertions.
In a recent ruling by the UK High Court, Craig Wright was found to have lied about being Satoshi Nakamoto, the creator of Bitcoin, in a case brought by COPA. This decision undermined Wright’s other legal claims that relied on his false identity as Bitcoin’s creator.
By uniting with over 300 companies dedicated to deterring invalid patent assertions by NPEs, COPA and Unified Patents aim to create an environment where developers can innovate freely. Unified Patents stands out as the only entity that deters invalid patent assertions without ever paying NPEs, thus avoiding incentivizing further NPE activity.
Kevin Jakel, founder and CEO of Unified Patents, expressed optimism about the partnership, emphasizing the opportunity to ensure that blockchain technology can thrive without being hindered by baseless patent assertions.
The collaboration between COPA and Unified Patents signifies a proactive approach to safeguarding innovation within the industry. By challenging questionable patents and deterring patent trolls, they strive to ensure that blockchain technology can progress unhindered, ultimately benefiting the entire crypto community.