I am not a huge fan of SVP (Sue via Patent) and here is another example. Google's new IM / VoIP softphone is apparently using protected technology and is now being sued for patent infringment. Om has all the details and tips his hat at Rich.
Personally this issue really pisses me off. Patents were meant to protect companies from having their technology and secret sauce from being ripped off. To see that some companies have come up with some crafty way of manipulating these laws makes me sick.
It seems to me that most of these patent companies operate as a shell, as to not be sued themselves. If they did operate and provide service or build product they would most likely be violating many patents held by some of the companies they are going after. Instead these parasites hitch a ride sucking the lifeblood from those who ARE making a difference.
Go and build something already, make your own revenue, employ some engineers and contribute back to the economy of your country!