While I am personally opposed to software patents, I'd argue that the JPEG XS patent holders [1] are not 'patent trolls' in any meaningful sense of the word.

While I have no personal experience on that topic, I'd assume that a codec with a patent pool is a safer bet for a commercial project. Key aspects being protected by patents makes it less likely that some random patent troll or competitor extorts you with some nonsense patent. Also, using e.g., JPEG XS instead of e.g., pyrowave also ensures that you won't be extorted by the JPEG XS patent holders.

One may call this a protection racket - but under the current system, it may make economical sense to pay for a license instead of risking expensive law suits.

[1] https://www.jpegxspool.com/

>Key aspects being protected by patents makes it less likely that some random patent troll or competitor extorts you with some nonsense patent

Does it? how? Patents can overlap, for example. Unless there's some indemnity or insurance for fighting patent lawsuits as part of the pool, it's a protection only against those patent holders, not other trolls.