I still think the prior licenses could be thrown out or invalidated. It may not be the most likely way things will work out. But it is a way. Depends on the judge and the rulings about when CM and PTSC are determined to have owned the patents and the time the contracts with TPL are determined to have been valid. Were they valid at the signing? Were they valid a month later? Were they valid before or after CM and PTSC began to suspect things were amiss? Are they valid until the judge says they are not? Remember the judge and/or jury may say that the contract still is valid and will remain so. And all can be appealed.

If someone sells you a car that they didn't really have the right to sell to you is it really yours. Sorry, my experience says that you have to give it back to the rightful owner. The seller and you are out your money. The seller may disappear with your money. But you still have to give back the car. I think a judge would have said you needed to make sure that it was the sellers to sell. That is one reason for pink slips on autos and title insurance on houses. Did any entities that bought licenses get insurance? Was there misrepresentation? What if the seller claims that they can't give back the money because they don't have that money or any other money left? Was B Madoff able to pay back all the money? Some of that money is getting paid back. Were is that money coming from?

What if someone wants or needs a car or something so badly they "overlook" the fact that what they are buying does not really belong to the person selling it?

I think the Leckrones will fight all this to the max. What is their alternative?