Judge: Apple may not use term "patent troll" in court

Apple and Hawaii-based GPNE Corp are preparing for a legal battle that's being heard by judge Lucy Koh, who has instituted a "no name-calling" rule. Specifically, Judge Koh has told Apple's attorneys that they may not refer to GPNE Corp as "patent troll" or "privateer" or "bandit" while in front of a jury. Additionally, they may not tell a jury that GPNE is engaged in a "shakedown" or "playing the lawsuit lottery."

This is ironic, as GPNE appears to be the very definition of "patent troll." It manufactures nothing, and appears that is only "product" is making licensing demands for its patents. As of this writing, its website features the following four "news" items:

1. April 8, 2014 GPNE Corp. enters into license agreement with CVS Pharmacy, Inc.

2. April 1, 2014 GPNE Corp. enters into license agreement with The Kroger Co.

3. March 25, 2014 GPNE Corp. enters into license agreement with ID Systems, Inc.

4. March 14, 2014 GPNE Corp. enters into license agreement with Stanley Steemer International, Inc.

As for its beef with Apple, GPNE claims the iPad infringes on old patents on transmitting data over a network.