"From time to time, third parties allege that we have violated their intellectual property rights." In this modern age, it's becoming increasingly difficult to protect technological innovations against all manner of legal claims, including patent trolls. Should WWE be "unable to obtain sufficient rights, successfully defend our use, or otherwise later our business practices on a timely basis in response to claims against us for infringement, misappropriation, misuse or other violation of third-party property rights, our business could be adversely affected". There's a lot of companies that are "devoting significant resources to developing patents that potentially affect aspects of streaming services" and there's "numerous patents that broadly claim means and methods of conducting business on the Internet." I am surprised to read that WWE, "have not searched patents relative to our technology". Obviously getting into a prolonged fight with a patent assertion entity could potentially cost millions of dollars and result in force further investment in "non-infringing technology" or entering "into royalty or licensing agreements" to keep the WWE Network online. Regardless of the true merit, the process will "result in costly litigation and diversion of personnel".
I'm a professional wrestling analyst, an improviser and an avid NES gamer. I live in Saint Paul, Minnesota and I'm working on my first book (#wrestlenomics). You can contact me at chris.harrington@gmail.com or on twitter (@mookieghana)
