Appsterdam's Mike Lee heads up indie studio collective to take on Lodsys IAP patent claim

It's a story that has all the trappings of a heroic video game: a band of indie developers clubbing together to defend their honour against a supposedly malevolent outside force.

In effect, the ongoing case against developers utilising in-app purchases on iOS, Mac and Android has the potential to be far more serious than that, affording Lodsys a hand in each and every mobile app with IAPs if successful.

Step forward the Appsterdam Legal Defense Team: a collective of indie developers set up by Tapulous founder Mke Lee designed to fight 'patent trolls' as a single force, funded by contributions from members.

Appsterdam or bust

Lee, who recently launched mobile development event Appsterdam, has managed to sign up intellectual property attorney Michael McCoy to head up the defence.

"We will let the patent trolls know: if you attack one indie, you attack all indies, and we will file every motion we can against you, we will attack your patents, and we will show you for the mafioso thugs you are," Lee says in a blog post, detailing Appsterdam Legal Defense Team.

"When he returns to work next week, Michael will assemble and lead the Appsterdam Legal Defense Team, establish the Appsterdam Legal Defense Fund, and start implementing our strategy, codenamed Operation Anthill."

Winging it in Washington

Rather than just attempt to rebuff Lodsys' claims to in-app purchase patents something even Apple is struggling to do Lee's body will look to change legislation in Washington to prevent against future attacks.

"Imagine a law that allows small software companies to opt out of the patent system," Lee continues.

"We will also mobilise the many talented designers and evangelists in our community to launch a massive media marketing campaign to let the public know that small businesses, jobs, and the economy are being threatened by parasites."

More details on the Appsterdam Legal Defense Team on Lee's website.