The Patent Troll Debate Continues: Enter Activision

As I previously posted, the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office issued a cease and desist letter barring any new patent infringement actions in Nebraska to a law firm that has a history of representing a so-called “patent troll” against Nebraska-based businesses.  Last week, it was reported that Activision TV filed suit in U.S. District Court in Omaha over the AG’s ability to restrict the law firm’s patent enforcement activities within the state.  Activision allegedly wants to retain the law firm to litigate a patent infringement action against Lincoln-based, Pinnacle Bank and claims that the Nebraska AG overstepped its authority. The Nebraska AG previously reported that the law firm was the subject of a prior investigation. Thus, it will be hard pressed to back down from the fight. It will be interesting to see how the Court rules given that the AG’s Office was acting under its authority to investigate and protect its consumers.