Patent hoarder sues BTC miners over Bitcoin using its IP
Malikie Innovations has filed lawsuits against Bitcoin mining firms Marathon Digital and Core Scientific, claiming they infringe on patents related to Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) acquired from BlackBerry. The lawsuits assert that the mining operations utilize ECC methods covered by Malikie's patents. If successful, Malikie could recover up to six years of lost royalties, potentially leading to significant financial consequences for the defendants, including bankruptcy. Legal experts suggest that individual Bitcoin users are unlikely to be affected, as miners represent more lucrative targets. Winning the case could set a precedent for further actions against other miners, potentially impacting Bitcoin's security. However, some analysts believe Malikie's claims may be weak if the patents are expired or cover pre-existing techniques. The outcome will depend on the specifics of the patents and court interpretations. This lawsuit follows a history of intellectual property disputes involving Bitcoin technology.
