In my opinion, it damages the arguments against such abuses of the patent system. A public outpouring of support for this case makes it seem like there's a double standard: that people oppose it in the typical context because of a general bias against large corporations, rather than a problem with patent trolling itself.

Flip it around, and that's where I'm at. Condemn the companies that the tactic is most associated with; don't excuse Kim Dotcom for doing it, too.