Microsoft is among the companies which have pressed for legislation to tackle these shell companies which acquire patents on a wholesale basis and then threaten litigation against other companies with similar activities. 'There is a lot of controversy in this area,' says Andrew Gavil, director of the Commission, as quoted in the Financial Times. 'This is the first step but we have an intention of going ahead.'

Great damage

The regulatory counsel at the Food Marketing Institute, Erik Lieberman, expressed confidence that 'the outcome of this investigation will illustrate the great damage trolls are inflicting on retailers and other businesses'.