According to Odaily Planet Daily, the Cryptocurrency Open Patent Alliance (COPA) and the patent-focused organization Unified Patents announced the launch of the "Blockchain Zone" to target activities related to patents under the control of non-practicing entities (NPEs), covering technologies such as NFTs, wallets, and smart contracts.

COPA said the partnership aims to protect blockchain companies and developers from “baseless and costly” legal claims by patent trolls who take advantage of the high costs of litigation to negotiate settlements.

These entities accounted for 58% of all patent lawsuits filed in the U.S. last year, according to Unified Patents, and 95% of the time they were filed against technology companies.