Does this competetion by the US DoD sound just like a blueprint for Dr. Manocha' Fab 2.0 or what. Seems like it could be a brilliant opportunity for POET. They want to develope exactly what POET consists of, when reached to its full potential - Integrated photonics System on a Chip. This would consist of a fully protected open-source platform of our IP, and our PDK Kits, but integrated and applied (Licensed) to numourous companies for many applications - beyond but certainly including the internet/server farms, and telecommunications. There will be tremendous markets & apps for medical, automated and robotic machines, automobiles, spacecraft, and of course a plethora of military uses. Did I mention the Smart Phone, and plain-old desk-top, lap-top, and tablet computers (they wouldn't be so plain anymore). POET would provide NRE and licenses, all under the umbrella of our exclusive open source sorfware, and kits, and the foundry service, with our foundry partner(s) creating a steady and substancial revenue stream.

Right now it looks like we are taking baby steps starting with the PET (copper wires and solder, but nonetheless faster and cooler) and working our way up to eventually the fully optic - photonic processor, or POET, on the single chip. This all takes time to impliment, valuable time. With the Institute as a backdrop, and our foundry partner, and/or Global Foundries (they may be one and the same) we could jump-start the full potential of POET and develop our fully optical system chips immediatley. We license our Intelectual Property for the project to use and fully vet any participants. We maintain our patents while using and adding to them. We could tailor specific applications for Google with the Internet, Med's genomic processing, etc., patenting as we move forward. We would license out our IP just like NASA licenses their technology, to private companies, who again are carefully vetted, and the technology released after careful review.

Seems like a provocative opportunity for POET, at the perfect time. If not POET then who will bring our compound III-V semiconductor to fruition. To the market We could probably block progress with our exclusive propriety properties, but why not work together, as Ajit suggested, and use a collaborated effort. Create a group that will combine to be greater that the sum invididual parts, with POET at the helm (of course along with our Foundry and Investment Partners).

We would be working directly with our customers, and creating a workforce that will become familiar with this new technology. The DoD should agree to keep our system open sourced with-out too many strings attached. They have much more to gain through coorperation and collaboration than keeping this close to the vest. Obviously a lot of this work will be classified and/or NDR protected, but that just can't or shouldn't be avoided.

A few in our Forum touched upon parts of this game-plan. Thank you for your forward thinking. I hope some on the board wil consider this. I would be interested in your thoughts. It seems like it has Opportunity written all over it. Opportunity for lots of companies, lots of jobs and lots of innovation.