It looks like nChain has been trying to find ways to reduce their patent spending. In their European portfolio, 54 applications have now been dropped, mostly by simply taking no action and allowing the application to lapse, but in one case by actively withdrawing the application so they can get a 50% refund on the examination fee. They have even been dropping applications that have already been allowed, suggesting that patenting the invention was just not worth it. I wonder how much longer they can continue to fund their already granted patents and the still very large (and very expensive) portfolio of pending applications when there is no sign of any incoming licensing revenue. Will Teranode come to the rescue when it finally arrives? Who knows, but we'll be watching with interest.
