iFilm takes Acacia streaming media license

IFilm is one of the most prominent Internet companies to sign a deal with Acacia Research, the company that says it owns patent rights to on-demand streaming media. Acacia announced the deal today.

Acacia is seeking royalties from virtually every operation--cable TV, Internet, satellite, hotel in-room movies--that streams audio or video in any way. Disney's signed, along with a host of others. Acacia isn't asking for much, and most companies appear to think that agreeing to pay is cheaper than fighting a patent lawsuit. The company only reported $666,000 of revenue on the patent licenses last quarter, with 160 license agreements in place.