Such are the complexities of patent law, that companies can enjoy a long life after the death of their core business. Thus the name of Rodime Plc has Californian lawyers rubbing their hands in glee as it pursues industry giant Seagate Technology Inc over claims that it infringed two of its patents. Rodime itself has long exited the hard drive business. It now consists of two people in an Edinburgh office and one in the US. While the company has ambitions to build up a portfolio of intellectual property around the storage business, revenue in the six months to March 31 was nil. Even expenses were down 40% to 583,000 pounds ($932,000) as legal activity slackened while an appeal was awaited. Those who wish to see Seagate humbled can pick up Rodime shares for just 1.25 pence ($0.02 cents).
