DEAN...

Those are all good questions to ask...

The long and the short of it depends on the following FACTS we know:...

1) They have identified 174 infringers and may be more...

2) They have a "TIER PLAN" in "Monetizing" their patents...

3) They started with TIER I WITH 8 defendnts and are 7 out of eight within couple of years come March 2010...

4) The life left on the Patents is 5 years, and the life of normal FEDERAL LAW SUIT from filing to Markman Hearing and to a VERDICT from a Jury or Judge functioning as trier of the facts is 4 years...

5. Even though there is a 6 year look back for suing prospective defendants, it is better that all are "Served with a Law Suit" naming some big names and adding 150 DOES, to bring in all prospective infringers by "Serving them before the lapse of the 5 years" which will affect the "Measure of Future Damges" sought, thus increasing the overall damages...

Putting all these facts togethr, we can surmise that the pattern for "Filings" by DM shall be differen t as we getget closer to the 5 year time period...

Good Luck to all...

Tomorrow may be "The Mother of EDIG THURSDAYS"...

Gil...