A way of wringing the value out of expired patents is in play.
Seven patent infringement cases have been filed during the past two weeks in the Northern District of Texas by the Patent Compliance Group, Inc. Suing on behalf of the United States, they intend to share 50% of the damages with the United States:
"Patent Compliance Group, on its own and on behalf of the United States, seeks an award of monetary damages of not more than $500 for each of Defendant's violations of 35 U.S.C. 292(a), one-half of which shall be paid to the United States pursuant to 35 U.S.C 292(b)."
A review of the patents cited in one complaint shows that the term of all they has expired.