This sounds very similar to the Getty Images extortion scam that is being pulled now.
I’m not a law-talking guy, but I wonder if it would be possible for all the entities being sued by RightHaven to file a class-action anti-SLAPP lawsuit against RH, claiming that RH is unfairly trying to limit their ability to exercise their First Amendment rights to discuss political subjects in the public arena.
Don’t forget SCOx (cough** M$***Cough) vs. IBM, Novell and Linux, in general.
I believe the lawsuits would fail in a court because one could argue that lacking previous complaints by the LVRJ about unauthorized use, their Internet business plan was previously to encourage people to quote them. Changing business plans in mid stream without notice would then be extortion.
For those not aware, these are the same jerks who are suing FR.
Interestingly, one of the reasons that Fred Phelps (yes, that Fred Phelps) was disbarred was for pulling essentially this stunt: Filing frivolous lawsuits and offering to settle with the victims for less than the cost of defending themselves.