Thanks for the thoughtful reply. While I understand your points and take them into consideration, there are points/counterpoints I can make.
One is that, in the ``throwing in the towel`` scenario, a settlement allows them a way ``out`` without admitting any wrong-doing and for a possible, if not probable, much lesser ultimate cost to their enterprise.
Second is the fact that the ultimate decision in such large corporations is NOT made by the patent attorney, but by the CEO/president and probably the BoD. So they may be weighing different ``evils``. Settle now for less money and put this behind us OR delay the hell out of it and hopefully the bad news will come under someone else`s watch (in which case that bust of me in the HQ lobby will be beaten to a pulp! LOL).
So I`m suggesting that, for infringing corporations, this is a business decision, not a legal one.
Also, there is some ``proof in the pudding``. Intel, AMD and HP did settle. They had the same avenues to choose from. And all interested parties KNOW.
In any case (!), good debate, and I do appreciate your insight. Guess we`ll find out, one by one, as we find out!
SGE
