Critics Call Him a Patent Troll. He Prefers Modern-Day Edison

Leigh M. Rothschild says he’s among the most prolific inventors of his generation. Critics and opponents see him somewhat differently; they call him a patent troll.

Rothschild secured his first patent by age 20. Now he’s 71 and listed as the sole inventor of more than 130 patents, including some related to quadraphonic stereos, barcodes, and now-ubiquitous QR codes. He readily admits his entire business model is built around monetizing his intellectual property through litigation and licensing, not selling products based on his inventions.

Rothschild knows what his critics think of him, and he pushed back when Bloomberg Law asked ...