I'm sure more has been said about this (I just got back on line).  I do understand it, but still think if someone had come up with the patented ideas first/prior, they may dispute ownership, i.e., threaten patent rights ENFORCEMENT by us with their knowledge/proof.  Not necessarily a legal thing, but a heck of a leverage thing.

Perhaps more provacative was my thought that IF someone else had come up with the ideas first, and could prove it, they would probably "shout it from the rooftops" if only for the prestege it could bring them in the techie industry. An example may be the deal with TPL/Moore, where PTSC and Fish are pretty absent from the discussion, and the patent portfolio is called the Moore Microprocessor Patent (MMP) portfolio. Moore wanted his name directly associated with these patents (though they weren't really his ideas for the most part), purely for the prestege it brings (plus the strokes to his ego).

Thus, IF someone were in this position, you'd think they'd have let it be known by now.  It would be quite the item to include on the ole resume.

JMHO, and I KNOW nuttin'!

SGE