"Is the Nikon filing a harbinger of additional settlements? My take is that it is more likely an indication of a collective settlement than it is that Nikon agreed to break away from the process."

I agree. I suspect the mediation with Judge Martin (ret) has been successful and the first settler from that effort was Nikon. IMO, the other four will probably follow suit in the next month or two. Looking forward to seeing how many defendants DM files against in the next lawsuit. My guess is 10-20. We have to keep DM busy fer cryin out loud! LOL

Gonna be an awesome 2009 folks.