RPX Corporation

RPX Corporation
Company typePrivate
IndustryBusiness & Personal Services
Founded2008; 16 years ago (2008)
Founders
  • John A. Amster
  • Geoffrey T. Barker
  • Eran Zur
HeadquartersSan Francisco, California
Key people
Dan McCurdy (CEO)
Products
  • RPX Insight
  • RPX Insurance
Revenue$330.4 million (2017)[1]
OwnerHGGC
Number of employees
125
Websitewww.rpxcorp.com

RPX Corporation (Rational Patent EXchange) is an American provider of international risk management services for patents. The company was founded in March 2008,[2] and is based in San Francisco. It was incorporated on July 15, 2008.[1] By acquiring patents that pose potential problems and providing information on litigation, RPX seeks to reduce patent assertions directed at its clients.

RPX provides a defensive patent aggregation service to mitigate clients' risk of litigation from non-practicing entities (NPEs) – also called patent trolls – which acquire patents for the sole purpose of licensing and asserting their patent rights.[3][4]

RPX identifies and purchases patent assets they identify as of high value, relevance and risk that could be used offensively against members of the company's client network. Depending on the situation, RPX may acquire assets from a third party or directly from an NPE.[5] When necessary and possible, RPX will buy patent rights out of an active litigation.

RPX promises to never assert or litigate the patents in its portfolio.[6][7]

  1. ^ a b "RPX Corporation 2017 Annual Report (Form 10-K)". SEC.gov. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 5 March 2018.
  2. ^ "Maureen O'Gara "Software Patents: Start-up Sells Troll Insurance", sys-con.com, 28 Nov 2008". Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2008.
  3. ^ Trolling for Patents to Fight Patent Trolls, By Saul Hansell, The New York Times, May 25, 2009
  4. ^ "Joff Wild, IAM Magazine, "Why Sinking Markets Could Mean Real Opportunities for Patent Acquirers and Licensees", October 7, 2008". Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved December 22, 2008.
  5. ^ RPX Defensive Patent Aggregation Service Summary
  6. ^ "Attorney Creates Patent Holder as 'Service Provider'". The Recorder. September 18, 2008.
  7. ^ "In Fight Against Patent Trolls, A New Arrow in the Quiver". Wall Street Journal. 2008-11-24.