While it is no secret that patent trolling is a significant problem in the United States, many wonder why efforts at reform have stalled in recent years, especially with associated costs continuing to rise. In 2011 alone, nonpracticing entities, referred to as "NPEs" or "patent trolls," cost an estimated $29 billion in legal and licensing fees in the United States. A recent study by PricewaterhouseCoopers found that patent trolls now account for 67 percent of all patent infringement lawsuits filed, a 28 percent increase from five years ago.

Image: Robert A. King is a partner in the Atlanta office of Hunton & Williams, specializing in intellectual property and patent law. King advises clients in patent prosecution and litigation, avoidance of patent rights of others and brand protection in technology areas including computer hardware and software, mechanical devices and medical devices. This article presents the views of the author and does not necessarily reflect those of Hunton & Williams or its clients.