Round Rock Research, the patent-troll/patent-licensing company owned by former Kirkland & Ellis patent litigator John Desmarais, is auctioning off four "covenants not to sue" on its 4200-patent portfolio March 31. Apple, Nokia, Samsung, and Sony have already purchased licenses. [Litigation Daily ($) via WSJ Law Blog]

One would presume the proceeds will fund litigation against the losers. The only surprise is that more patent litigators haven't acted so entrepreneurially.