A Reuters report cited sources who said Intellectual Ventures had been limiting its patent buying in the past few months. An investor presentation that was reviewed by the news agency indicated that the multibillion venture capital firm had turned its focus to raise USD3 billion.

Intellectual Ventures was created in 2000 and had opened opportunities for patents and inventions. To date, the firm had raised around USD6 billion in investment commitments and acquired 70,000 in intellectual assets.

In recent months, IV purchasing contracts and multiple sources who were familiar with the patent transactions showed that Intellectual Ventures had already pushed some of its deals in patents and had declined to participate in others. Intellectual Ventures' recent move would not affect the patent market overall, said Pluritas managing partner and patent broker Robert Aronoff.

When asked for comment, Intellectual Ventures refused to provide comment on their activities.