But several Japanese electronics makers have complained about suspected infringements of patents since December 2000, especially regarding multimedia technologies that are increasingly vital in the industry as audio and video become more widespread on the Internet, according to the commission.
12.
"Major action will be taken against the pirating of audio and video tapes, books, magazines and computer software, the infringement of trademarks, especially those of brand-name products, and the infringement of patents as well as unfair competition, " said the circular, reported by the official Xinhua News Agency late Thursday night.
13.
In practice, the vast majority of IV's revenue comes from buying patents, aggregating these patents into a single portfolio spanning many disparate technologies and tying these patents together for license to other companies under the threat of litigation, or filing lawsuits for infringement of patents, a controversial practice referred to as " patent trolling ."
