Why Retailers Became a Top Target of Patent Trolls

It's not surprising that tech giants Apple and Google are among the 10 companies most often sued by patent trolls. However, when it comes to sectors, it may come as a surprise that retail graces the top spot. In the first half of 2014, 136 retailers have been involved in 264 lawsuits brought by trolls — i.e., nonpracticing entities that buy patents in the open market seeking to collect licensing revenue from infringing parties. That makes the sector the No. 1 target, above such high-tech categories as electronics, media and telecom, and computer software, according to research firm Patent Freedom.