We present a case of a university invention and the long, costly legal process that was required to challenge prominent infringing products. This history highlights a number of areas where reforms are urgently needed so that small entities can defend their intellectual property with realistic budgets, timelines, and solid facts—and without baseless recriminations. A call for coordinated action is made to restore the ability of the National Academy of Inventors members and other inventors and small entities to access the law in defense of issued patents.