Yep, as long as DM believes in the patents EDIG should be in good hands. We have no way to know how much work or if any notices have been sent, but we know company PR states we'll hear something this Q....and this year.

It would seem EDIG's contact with some of the mean ole copy cats in past business dealings would help to show prior knowledge of EDIG's IP. Of course, not necessarily the patents in play. In many cases we just don't know what was EDIG's role and what the mean ole copy cat brought to the design table. I guess that's a job with DM's name on it.

Am I wrong in assuming: prior knowledge = willful infringement? (should infringement be proven)

There are probably several legal factors to "prove" willful infringement, but knowing EDIG and having done business with them would sure seem to be a good place to start.

John