To prevent such litigations, operating companies sometimes purchase patents in technologies which they use or develop.
Operating companies have also pooled their efforts and financial resources to purchase patents.
And, when non-litigation licensing and settlements are factored in, the actual costs of fighting patent lawsuits is much higher.
Because the costs and risks are high, defendants may settle even non-meritorious suits they consider frivolous for several hundred thousand dollars.
However, NPE offense is ultimately concentrated on asserting patents to the detriment of operating companies.