Patent Assertion Entities (PAEs)

Patent Assertion Entities (PAEs) are companies that focus on acquiring patents to enforce them against others, rather than creating products or services themselves. They often sue businesses for patent infringement, seeking licensing fees or settlements. PAEs can be controversial, as critics argue they contribute to "patent trolling," where companies use patents primarily to extract money rather than innovate. Proponents, however, argue they help protect inventors' rights. Essentially, PAEs operate in the legal landscape of patents, seeking profit through enforcement rather than innovation.