Schlumberger, Judges Slam Acacia Business, Law Practices

• Court argument: Acacia recruits corporate counsel to sue former firms, litigates patent cases with no intention of reaching merits
• Alleged infringer asks Federal Circuit to send a message on attorney disqualification

Counsel for Schlumberger Ltd. pressed Federal Circuit judges Aug. 3 to set precedent that will stop alleged abusive business and legal practices by non-practicing entities like Acacia Research Corp. (Dynamic 3D Geosolutions LLC v. Schlumberger Ltd., argued 8/3/16).

The court may decide the case—an appeal of an attorney disqualification decision—on Fifth Circuit law but at least one panelist, Judge Evan J. Wallach, appeared ready to come down ...