You’ve heard them called “patent trolls”. Patent Assertion Entities are ramping up again — and businesses are in the crosshairs.

In late January 2026, Shopify announced it had prevailed after a three year legal battle against a “patent troll” (or a patent assertion entity, PAE, as they are often called). They follow in the footsteps of companies like, Newegg, who became a heroic symbol to many in the […]