Companies settle legal issues out of court for many reasons. Money seems to be the driving factor. If a patent case were to cost millions of dollars and still contain the risk of paying, some companies will opt to settle and go on with their primary business. One of the unseen costs to companies is the time it takes away from key managers and execs. Truly, time is money.

I cannot see a legal team penalizes after the fact if they explained the situation and the client made their decision based on the known facts at that time.

Just my $0.02 and worth the price paid.

John