**Crypto Advocacy Groups Launch Campaign Against Patent Trolls**
Crypto advocacy group COPA and Unified Patents have teamed up to combat "patent trolls" targeting blockchain and crypto technology. Announced on October 1, their "Blockchain Zone" campaign aims to protect blockchain firms from costly legal claims by non-practicing entities (NPEs), who hold patents solely to profit from licensing or lawsuits.
- **Patent Trolls**: Entities that don't use their patents but sue others for infringement.
- **Impact**: NPEs accounted for 58% of US patent litigation last year, targeting tech firms 95% of the time.
- **Objective**: Ensure the crypto sector isn't stifled by baseless patent claims.
Coinbase’s legal chief, Paul Grewal, emphasized the need to stop patent trolls to foster crypto innovation. Unified Patents CEO Kevin Jakel echoed this, highlighting the importance of shielding the sector from unfounded patent assertions.