Litigious patent-holder, in patent dispute? (9)

I believe the answer is:

plaintiff

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'litigious patent-holder' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'patent dispute?' is the wordplay.
'patent' becomes 'plain' (synonyms).
'dispute?' becomes 'tiff' (tiff is a kind of dispute).
'plain'+'tiff'='PLAINTIFF'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for plaintiff that I've seen before include "The litigant making the accusation" , "The one taking the court action" , "One bringing a lawsuit" , "Suitor" , "Bringer of lawsuit" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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