Author: Serkadis

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Budget, Sedan, Hatchback, Ford

The Fiesta Movement, Ford’s campaign to introduce the little global Fiesta car to the U.S. market, kicked off at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year and will end this week during the LA Auto Show with, what else, a party. Oh, and the official unveiling of the 2011 North American version. We got a sneak peek of the Fiesta earlier today that it now seems was incorrect, based on these new pictures found buried on Ford’s website.

The U.S.-style three-bar grille is thankfully not present in these official pics, though the hatch and sedan do wear different grilles (we like the hatch’s version better, for what it’s worth). The rest of the car remains as good-looking as the Euro-spec version ever did, and the interior will be a big draw for this car – along with solid MPG numbers, of course. For those of you who hoped Ford would bring the Fiesta over from Europe pretty much intact, it appears your wishes have been granted. We’ll have all the details from LA right soon.

[Source: Ford]

2011 Ford Fiesta gets another early reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve discussed in the past how the UK’s Premier League’s fear of the internet has been a case study in what not to do online. But it seems that the Premier League bosses still want to push forward with plans to make it more difficult and more annoying for fans to actually watch matches. Jeff T alerts us to an opinion piece in The Guardian from the CEO of the Premier League, Richard Scudamore, in support of Lord Mandelson’s Digital Economy Bill for kicking accused (not convicted) file sharers off the internet. It’s the usual rant against “piracy” without much basis or knowledge:

Without the safe passage of the bill — requiring ISPs to take firm measures against unauthorised filesharers who are currently streaming and downloading with virtual impunity — the marker that this is theft isn’t even set down, educating consumers cannot begin in earnest, businesses cannot begin to develop new models because the market won’t be functioning properly and, most importantly of all, the current levels of investment that create jobs as well as talent will be lost. And that is when the real cost of digital theft would become apparent.

And yet, even as he writes those words, the creative industries that he insists are dying have been growing. How? Because the business models have been adapting just fine — even without additional artificial barriers to competition or the ability to kick people off the internet. And, in the case of the Premier League, Scudamore seems to be leaving out an awful lot of important facts, such as how incredibly limited an online offering the Premier League has put forth, which is a large part of the reason why lots of people stream it illegally. He also tosses out some totally made up “facts” such as “the UK leads the world in illegal downloads of TV programmes, with up to 25% of all online TV piracy taking place here.” Well, perhaps it’s not totally made up since he uses the magic words “up to.” But if there is a problem with file sharing of TV shows in the UK, it’s likely (as Jeff noted in his submission) because the “creative industries” that Scudamore insists are so important still delay the release of popular shows in the UK and demand that online streaming sites like Hulu not work outside the US.

Piracy is not the problem. Piracy is only showing folks like Scudamore that they’re doing a terrible job in meeting demand. He doesn’t need people kicked off the internet to adjust his business model. Lots of others are already doing so.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Toyota

Reports of Toyota F1’s demise may prove to have been exaggerated as the latest rumors from the racing world suggest that the Japanese automaker is in discussions with a Serbian outfit about taking over the Cologne-based racing team.

Stefan Grand Prix is backed by Serbian engineering firm AMCO and headed by one Zoran Stefanovic, who, like N.Technology, filed an official complaint over the FIA’s selection process for new teams. His suit was rejected, but Stefanovic remained determined. The departure of Toyota from the scene and the availability of its assets – including its 2010 car design and the all-important entry slot for next year’s championship – may prove to be his way in. The deal could involve Toyota sticking around to supply engines for the next few years, and Kamui Kobayashi could be part of the package, operating from the current facility in Cologne, Germany, until the move to Serbia could be completed.

For its part, Toyota is likely trying to find a way to get around its commitments under the Concorde Agreement to remain in the series, the failure of which to honor could cost Toyota hundreds of millions in fines. Meanwhile if Stefan Grand Prix manages to pull it off, they’ll have successfully circumnavigated the allegedly flawed selection process and secured their spot on the grid. Stefanovic denies the prospect of his outfit simply stepping in to Toyota’s place, but confirmed that negotiations are under way.

Meanwhile Sauber – which just reacquired itself from BMW in the wake of the failed Qadbak deal – was hoping Toyota would default on its agreement, thereby giving them the green light. If the Stefan deal goes through, Sauber could be locked out, unless the powers-that-be opt to let them in as an unprecedented 14th entry.

[Source: F1-Live | Image: Clive Mason/Getty]

Serbian team reportedly in talks to take over Toyota F1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PS3 (http://ps3.qj.net/category/Bayonetta/cid/5070),

Found this on a site and figured it would be helpful.

http://www.muscleandstrength.com/sup…s/protein.html

Whey Protein:
The ultimate source of protein! It’s the highest quality of protein available. Whey protein is a rich source of BCAAs) containing the highest known levels of any natural food source. This is also one of the best in a whey isolate or hydrolized whey isolate.

Casein Protein:
Micellar Casein is a slow digesting and rich protein source that continues to feed your muscles long after whey proteins have dropped off.

Egg Protein:
Egg protein is made from pure egg white. It’s fat-free, fast digesting and rich in BCAAs and glutamic acid.

Soy Protein:
Fast digesting form of protein with a solid BCAA profile. Made from non-animal sources, Ideal for lactose intolerant and vegans!

Protein Bars:
Need a quick hit of protein? Protein bars give you 20-40g of protein, with little fat and carbs, in a delicious tasting and easy to eat bar.

Meal Replacements:
Meal replacement products combine protein, carbohydrates and fats to create a complete meal! Ideal for busy lifestyles, weight gain and weight loss!

How much protein do I need to build muscle?
Studies have shown that 1-1.5 grams of protein, per pound of bodyweight, per day is the optimium amount of protein for muscle building. Protein should be consumed over 6-8 meals/shakes throughout the day.

What is the difference between whey protein and casein protein?
The main difference between whey and casein is disgestion time. Whey protein is a fast acting form of protein with a high bioavailability (BV). It’s perfect for first thing in the morning and after training where you need to get nutrients into your system quickly. Casein protein is much slower digesting, in fact it can take up to 7 hours to fully digest. This time release property of casein protein makes it ideal for before bed and meal replacements, when you don’t need all the protein to be absorbed quickly.

What is the best type of protein?
Whey protein is far superior to any other type of protein. Whey has a complete amino acid profile for muscle building and has a very high biological value (BV), making is the fastest digesting protein source.

When should I take protein shakes?
There are 3 main times when you should consume protein. These are first thing in the morning, immediately after a training session and before bed. If you goal is to gain weight, you may also you whey protein (or meal replacement shake) throughout the day to increase your protein/calorie intake.

Does taking protein supplements help with weight loss?
Adding protein shakes, protein bars and/or meal replacements to your diet is a great way to jump start your weight loss. Protein supplements can give you quality protein without the extra calories. Meal replacement shakes can provide you with a well rounded, low calorie liquid meal that will keep you going for hours.

Can protein be mixed with other supplements?
Yes, in fact it’s encouraged! Mixing protein with other ingredients (like dextrose) can increase the rate which protein is absorbed. A good post workout shake typically includes whey protein, creatine monohydrate, dextrose and glutamine. You should always read the label before mixing supplements

DB analyst Mike Baker released a report today on how well retailers did during Black Friday in terms of busyness. He uses the unscientific “busyness” indicator to measure what percentage of a store’s locations he would characterize as busy. Across the board, busyness was a bit better than last year.

Deutsche Bank: Over the weekend, we called our visited close to 300 hardline stores (Figure 1) across a variety of concepts to gauge holiday traffic patterns, with over a 67% response rate. This is similar to the calling program that we have conducted in each of the past several years, giving us the ability to compare results versus past holidays. We also compare individual companies to gauge market share trends.

Admittedly, this is an unscientific survey with some randomness, and judging a store’s busyness based on a quick conversation with a store associate certainly has its pitfalls. But, with over 200 responses and a similar number in past years, we believe the survey is a useful tool among other fundamental pieces of analysis. Also, note that as much as possible, we do attempt to call the same stores at the same time each year, to minimize the impact of the timing of the call.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Battle Royale: Office Depot Vs. Office Max (ODP, OMX)
• Retail Sales Already HOT In November
• Black Friday Sales Frenzy Explodes As Americans Kiss Recession Goodbye

Yet again, despite all the secrecy and bogus claims of “national security,” the details behind what’s being proposed in ACTA have leaked, and they don’t look good at all. It’s basically an attempt to force the worst of the DMCA on much of the rest of the world, with a few carefully chosen modifications. While there are lots of issues, it’s worth noting the most basic of all, found in the first paragraph that contains the “general obligations” of participating countries. As Michael Geist details:

These focus on “effective enforcement procedures” with expeditious remedies that deter further infringement. The wording is similar to TRIPs Article 41, however, the EU notes that unlike the international treaty provisions, there is no statement that procedures shall be fair, equitable, and/or proportionate. In other words, it seeks to remove some of the balance in the earlier treaties.

This is the sort of thing that you really have to watch out for in these types of agreements. The lobbyists for the entertainment industry are amazingly good at carefully selecting or omitting words that, to the casual observer, don’t seem all that important. However, in the long-term, they can change the entire thrust of an agreement. By leaving out the requirement that enforcement be “fair, equitable and/or proportionate,” it makes it much easier for the industry to push for more and more draconian enforcement measures under a typical game of leapfrog or “ratcheting,” where they focus on getting one country that’s agreed to ACTA to impose something draconian, and then insisting that everyone else has to follow through in the name of “harmonization.” Be aware of these sorts of tricks as the Hollywood lawyers will waste little time in leaping forward with claims that these rules really aren’t any different than what’s already in place. Of course, if that were actually the case, they wouldn’t be arguing so hard for these new rules. They know how to work the system.

The second paragraph is also a bit troubling, as it would require a contributory infringement setup, or an “inducement standard.” The industry has been pushing for this for a while, and while it failed to get the INDUCE Act passed in the US, it effectively got close with the troubled ruling in the Grokster case, written by a Justice who clearly admitted to not understanding basic technology. The problem with any sort of inducement standard should be obvious (though, it seems like it’s not to maximalists): you are creating a liability for someone based on the actions of others. That should always be seen as a bad idea. However, the entertainment industry loves it, because they would rather fight legal battles against a small number of file sharing services and sites, rather than the users of those service and sites.

Even worse, by “harmonizing” these sorts of things via international treaty, we are left in the same troubled position we are on other similar treaties like Berne and TRIPS, whereby countries are locked into very specific rules on how intellectual property must work, and are unable to make serious and meaningful changes, based on their own knowledge of what works best to encourage and promote progress. Having a very small body of folks, heavily influenced by industry lobbyists, decide exactly what copyright laws must be does not allow for experimentation and actual knowledge of how these sorts of changes impact creative output. They’re designed to hide the damage done by bad copyright law, rather than figure out a way to fix it.

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It’s true, I’m a Dallas Cowboys football fan! When Swanson contacted me about posting menus for football season that were tailored to specific teams, I immediately asked if there was a Cowboys menu, and sure enough, there is! If you aren’t a Cowboys fan or just want more recipes, please visit the Swanson Chicken recipe site.

The Quick and Easy Tailgate Plan for a Cowboys Fan

– Brought to you by Swanson® Chicken Traveling Tailgate

Check out this collection of quick, easy and delicious recipes for your Cowboys’ tailgating and football parties! Whether you are cooking for the whole team or just the defensive line, these dishes are guaranteed to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites. Go Cowboys!

Starters:

Frank’s® RedHot® Buffalo Chicken Dip:

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
2 cans (9.75 oz each) Swanson® Premium Chunk Chicken Breast, drained
½ cup Frank’s® RedHot® Sauce
½ cup blue cheese salad dressing
½ cup crumbled blue cheese
Assorted fresh vegetables and/or crackers

Directions:

1. Stir cream cheese in 9” deep dish pie plate until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredients.
2. Bake at 350°F. for 20 min. until hot and bubbling. Stir. Serve with vegetables and crackers.

Tips:
– Substitute ranch dressing for blue cheese dressing and shredded cheddar cheese for blue cheese crumbles.
– Make it tailgate friendly – prepare ahead of time and transport in a disposable heavy foil pan. When you get to the
tailgate heat it on a grill and serve nice and hot!
– Make this in the microwave by heating it on high for 5 minutes instead of baking
– Keep it warm in a crockpot or slow cooker

Monterey Jack Chicken Quesadillas

Ingredients:

1 can (4.5 ounces) Swanson® Premium Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained

½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

2 tablespoons chopped green chilies

⅛ teaspoon chili powder

4 flour tortillas (8-inch), warmed

Pace® Thick & Chunky Salsa

Sour cream

1. Heat the oven to 400°F. Stir the chicken, 1/4 cup cheese, chilies and chili powder in a

medium bowl.

2. Place the tortillas onto 2 baking sheets. Spread 1/4 cup chicken mixture onto half of each

tortilla to within 1/2-inch of the edge. Brush the edges of the tortillas with water. Fold the

tortillas over the filling and press the edges to seal.

3. Bake for 5 minutes or until the filling is hot. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Serve with

the salsa and sour cream.

The Main Event:

Seven Ingredient Chili

Ingredients:

2 lb. ground turkey
1 large onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
2 tbsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
3 1/2 cups V8® 100% Vegetable Juice (Regular or Low Sodium)
1 small green pepper, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
2 cans (about 15 ounces each) red kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1. Cook the turkey, onion, chili powder and cumin in a 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat until the turkey is well browned, stirring often.
2. Add the vegetable juice, pepper and beans to the saucepan and heat to a boil. Reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Spicy Onion Burgers

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb. ground beef
1/2 cup Pace® Picante Sauce
1 pouch Campbell’s® Dry Onion Soup and Recipe Mix
6 Pepperidge Farm® Farmhouse Premium White Rolls with Sesame Seeds
Lettuce leaves
Tomato slice
Avocado slices

1. Thoroughly mix beef, picante sauce and soup mix. Shape firmly into 6 burgers, 1/2-inch thick each.
2. Lightly oil the grill rack and heat the grill to medium. Grill the burgers for 10 minutes or until desired doneness, turning the burgers over halfway through cooking.
3. Serve in rolls with lettuce, tomato, avocado and additional picante sauce.

The Game Winner

Football Cake:

2 Pepperidge Farm® Chocolate Fudge 3 Layer Cake

Assorted decorating gel (black, white)

1 package (4.9 oz.) Pepperidge Farm® Mini Milano Cookies

Directions:

1. Remove cakes from freezer. Trim 1 edge of styrofoam plate even with cake, using scissors. Repeat with other cake. Place these two sides together. Carefully trim corners of cake to form a “football”. Set corners aside. Let stand 15 min. or until frosting softens.
2. Smooth frosting where cakes are joined, using a metal spatula dipped in water. Smooth frosting on sides of cake. If needed, use additional frosting from corners pieces.
3. Make an outline of a football on top of cake and laces down center, using white piping gel.
4. Decorate sides of cake with Mini Milano® cookies, pressing gently to adhere. Make football laces on cookies using black piping gel. Makes 1 cake.

For more easy and delicious recipes check out: www.Campbellskitchen.com and www.Swansonchicken.com

If you thought we’ve heard the last of Erik Estavillo a.k.a. the banned Resistance player and lawsuit spammer, then you thought wrong my friends. The…

“Your console has been banned.” For many gaming enthusiasts, perhaps nothing is more unnerving than the prospect of losing the ability to duel with friends and strangers over the Internet for hours on end. Yet earlier this month, this fear became a reality for many Xbox owners when Microsoft banned a large number of consoles from its Xbox Live service. The move effectively prevents the machines from playing games online, and according to reports so far, the ban allegedly only affects consoles that have been modified by users in order to play pirated games. While Microsoft has not said how many machines were affected (other than shooting down the initially reported figure of 1 million), the sheer quantity of banned Xbox 360s that have shown up for resale on sites like eBay and craigslist suggests the number is still quite large. Corresponding with one of the most anticipated multiplayer title releases of the year, the ban sends a strong that Microsoft is not afraid to hit users where it hurts when it comes to their bottom line.

Yet, while the obvious lesson some may take away from this is, “Don’t steal games,” there is a much more subtle point to be made here about the power of online service providers wield over their users through their Terms of Service Agreements (or TOS).

read more

Filed under: Government/Legal, Saab

Don’t write off Saab just yet. While last week’s announcement that Koenigsegg Automotive AB had pulled its offer for the homeless brand was a painful kick to the gut, it seems there are still a few companies interested in taking the automaker under its wings. With that in mind, and interested in keeping the momentum, Saab CEO Jan Ake Jonsson and government officials from Sweden are meeting in Detroit today ahead of a Tuesday GM board meeting to determine Saab’s fate.

As we’ve reported, other bidders have expressed interest in Saab and the list appears to have grown. These companies include Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp., U.S. investment company Merbanco Inc., and the U.S. private equity firm Renco Group Inc. You may recall that it was Beijing Auto who had partnered with Koenigsegg in the latest deal that fell off the table. Said Beijing Auto’s general manager Wang Dazong, “stay tuned a little bit.” Yes, we all are. Patiently.

[Source: Automotive News, sub. req’d]

Saab, Swedish gov’t in Detroit to discuss brand’s future originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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During an investor conference call this afternoon, Yves Guillemot confirmed that he and his crew are set on providing support for the new motion con…

 

AT&T and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc., today announced the LG eXpo will be available online beginning December 7. Featuring the first 1 GHz processor in the United States, the LG eXpo allows business professionals to meet their demanding data sharing needs while on the go. Available exclusively for AT&T customers, the handset will be compatible with AT&T’s High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 Mbps technology, which provides a considerable speed boost to the nation’s fastest 3G network.

The LG eXpo is the first device in North America to support an optional integrated pico projector. The LG Mobile Projector snaps onto the back of the device and allows users to share presentations, slideshows and even online videos straight from their mobile phone. Weighing only 1.8 ounces and small enough to fit into the palm of your hand, the LG mobile projector provides users with powerful new technology in a compact design, featuring a projection distance as far as eight feet

"LG eXpo adds to our growing portfolio of smartphones that operate on the latest upgrade to our 3G network and offer customers a great choice," said Michael Woodward, vice president, Mobile Phone Portfolio, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "As we move to HSPA 7.2 technology, it is crucial to provide our customers innovative and future-proof smartphones." With the upgrade to HSPA 7.2 technology, AT&T continues its investments to deliver the nation’s fastest 3G network.

AT&T plans to deploy HSPA 7.2 initially in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles and Miami by the end of the year. The company plans to deploy HSPA 7.2 in 25 of the nation’s 30 largest markets by the end of 2010, and to reach about 90 percent of its existing 3G network footprint with HSPA 7.2 by the end of 2011. LG eXpo also eliminates the need for pin codes and passwords with the exclusive "Smart Sensor" fingerprint recognition from AuthenTec, which delivers a new level of added smart and personal security unlike any other mobile phone in the market. AT&T is the first to offer U.S. subscribers a smartphone that leverages the features and functions of a smart sensor. The Smart Sensor complements the touchscreen user interface of the eXpo by also providing precise cursor control for text editing, 4-way menu navigation, and AuthenTec’s unique turbo-scroll feature for rapid browsing of long emails, contact lists or websites.

The LG eXpo is loaded with Windows Mobile® 6.5 Professional to help power users stay more connected with email, calendar and Microsoft® Office Mobile. The phone’s projection feature allows users to display Web pages, documents, photos and videos on the go. "LG eXpo is the perfect balance of mobile innovation and design" said Ehtisham Rabbani, vice president of product strategy and marketing for LG Mobile Phones. "Enabling users to meet their professional and personal computing needs from the palm of their hands, LG eXpo makes on-the-go communication an effortless luxury."

Boasting a 3.2-inch external touchscreen with 16M color, LG eXpo features a sophisticated slider design with a full size QWERTY keypad. For the dynamic multi-tasker, LG eXpo provides users with powerful functionality that supports an RSS Viewer, Podcast and aGPS. In addition to a crystal clear 5.0 megapixel camera with built-in auto flash, LG eXpo can support up to a 16GB removable microSD memory card for premium music and photo storage.

Beginning December 7, LG eXpo will be available to enterprise customers and for purchase online at www.att.com/lgexpo for $199.99 after mail-in rebate. Pay $299.99 and after mail-in rebate receive a $100 AT&T Promotion Card. Two year agreement on a minimum $69.99 plan required. The LG Mobile Projector will be available in the coming weeks for $179.99.

Read more at LG here.

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Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari

If you thought that last remaining piece of lasagna at the food court looked iffy, remember that’s not even the most suspicious concoction to bear the Sbarro banner. Franco Sbarro rivals even his fellow Swiss coachbuilder Rinspeed for his, um… “originality.” Recent examples have included a six-wheeled Citroen crossover, a leaning quadricycle and a vintage Rolls-Royce equipped especially for bird-watching. But as bizarre and unusual as most of Franco Sbarro’s creations have been, the Swiss designer also has a long history in radically modifying Ferraris.

Based on the 308 GTB, the Super 8 made our Top 10 Mid-Engined Hatchbacks list, but that’s just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Sbarro’s done everything from converting a 365 GT4 into a Mille Miglia spyder to giving the 550 Maranello the wide-body treatment. Among the most intriguing of his projects, though, has been the Alcador series. The first Alcador, based on the Testarossa, debuted at the 1995 Geneva salon. The second, called the Alcador GTB, came a baker’s-dozen years later at the 2008 Geneva show, borrowing its chassis and engine from the 348. Sbarro tweaked the design and came back to the Palexpo the following year with a new Alcador GTB based on the 360 Modena.

Now, a Swiss collector by the name of Lienhard has commissioned the coachbuilder to craft him another example, and the result was unveiled to the public this past weekend at the Essen tuner expo in Germany. Strangely called the Lista Office, Sbarro’s latest is underpinned once again by the 80s-era Testarossa, packing its 450hp 5-liter boxer 12. Say what you will about the styling, but one thing’s for sure: it doesn’t look anything like a 512TR. See for yourself in the image gallery below.

[Source: Sbarro and Autoblog.nl]

Flight of the Alcador: Franco Sbarro unveils Ferrari Testarossa-based Lista Office in Essen originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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An old, crusty, off-strip hotel with a rich poker past is shutting down.

LasVegasNow: A spokesperson with Binion’s Gambling Hall & Hotel has confirmed that the property’s hotel rooms, Original Coffeeshop and Keno will be closing on December 14th.

A memo to all employees obtained by 8 News Now blames the economy for the move. The casino portion of Binion’s and associated restaurants will remain open.

The closings will result in the layoff of around 100 people.

The news comes the same day as the Dubai-owned monstrosity City Center is oficially opening up.

Here’s the full memo to staff.

Binions Closing

(Picture via Flickr user Eric__I_E)

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Just In Time: Dubai Opens $8.5 Billion Casino In Vegas
• Carl Icahn Is Lead Bidder For Vegas Casino
• CHART OF THE DAY: The Las Vegas Strip Is Making A Huge Comeback

The economy still isn’t doing so great, and that impacts everyone — even lawyers. So what are they to do in weak times? Eric Goldman points out that in the past, they’d become bankruptcy lawyers, but this time around, it looks like some are realizing a more lucrative strategy is to get involved in patent trolling — though they prefer to call it “IP monetization.” This is, of course, just a continuation of the whole ridiculous focus on squeezing cash from unused or ignored patents, following the publication of the book Rembrandts in the Attic, which kicked off this effort.

From an economic standpoint, this activity is a pure dead weight loss on economic activity. There is nothing good that comes from it. You basically have companies that have ignored a patent they got for whatever reason, suddenly rediscovering it and using it to go after totally unrelated companies who actually innovated and brought products to market (almost always with no knowledge whatsoever of the questionable patent in the first place). And suddenly the actual innovators have to pay up to a company that did absolutely nothing with the invention.

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