Initially, RCA dismissed Farnsworth's all-electronic television system as impractical. However, as Farnsworth's technology advanced, RCA recognized its potential and began exploring ways to acquire or circumvent his patents.

RCA, led by David Sarnoff, launched a campaign to invalidate Farnsworth's patents, arguing that his ideas were based on earlier research. They claimed that Vladimir Zworykin, an RCA engineer, was the true inventor of electronic television. RCA's legal team spared no resource to argue that Zworykin's 1923 patent application predated Farnsworth's invention.

The US Patent Office ruled in favor of Farnsworth in a crucial patent interference case, recognizing him as the inventor of the image dissector tube. His high school science teacher's detailed drawings and testimony helped prove that Farnsworth had conceived of the invention years before Zworykin's patent application.

After years of legal battles, RCA finally agreed to license Farnsworth's patents, paying him royalties for the use of his technology. This agreement marked a significant victory for Farnsworth, though it came at a great personal and financial cost.

Farnsworth received royalties from RCA and other companies for the use of his patents. However, the royalties were less than he had hoped for, and the protracted legal battles had taken a toll on his finances and emotional well-being. RCA deliberately slowed the progress of television until Farnsworth's patent's were set to expire, reducing his overall earnings.