patent trolling

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patent trolling

/ˈpætənt ˌtɹəʊlɪŋ/ UK
/ˈpætənt ˌtɹoʊlɪŋ/ US

Where it comes from

From patent troll, which is derived from patent + troll (“in folklore, a grotesque humanoid creature living in caves or hills, or under bridges”), a reference to trolls in folktales who block the path of travellers or threaten to harm them unless some payment is made.

noun

derogatory, informal, uncountable The practice of owning and enforcing patents in an aggressive and opportunistic manner, often with no intention of marketing or promoting the subjects of the patents.

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MLA

"patent trolling." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/patent%20trolling. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

patent trolling. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/patent%20trolling

Chicago

"patent trolling." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/patent%20trolling.

BibTeX

@misc{patent_trolling_2026,
  title = {patent trolling},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/patent%20trolling},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}