So, maybe this is just a result of Wencorman`s essential need for absolute control. Difficult to swallow, but plausible (human nature and egos and control freakiness and all). But, is this need the driving force, or is there more brain power involved? We have to hope for the latter....

If Wencorman was really smart, truly wants to dominate the market, and have all encompassing tech available to him, he might have been bright enough to consult with EDIG about how to develop the most robust end-to-end product with maximum security features throughout the content acquisition/installation/delivery-to-user process. Edig is almost certainly aware of what their competition has to offer, and may have pointed out their one weakness (when compared to the competiton).

Even if there was no consultation with EDIG, the studios may have pushed IMS`s TDL in order to give them a warmer, fuzzier feeling (it may have even been a studio that hadn`t signed up yet, that insisted on this extra layer of content protection before releasing content).

IMS`s solution can be integrated with EDIG`s to acquire the overall ``best of the best``. This is the scenario we hope is playing out....

So it comes down to a question of what is the dominate motivating force within Wencorman? Is it control of his business, or control of the market for IFE? At minimum, he must be conflicted!

One more word on exclusivity.... EDIG has ALWAYS stated their intent to be agnostic; not beholden to any one entity but free to work with (license to) anyone. An exclusivity agreement would fly in the face of this very basic ``mission``. Throw this (which I consider a fact) into play, and it too may have been an influencing factor.

Now throw in another thought.... What if there was a one-way exclusivity agreement where Wencor had to buy from EDIG? Contractually bound to buy from one ``outside`` source, inhibiting the ability to ``deal`` on the price Wencor must pay. How to get around that.... Buy another source, making it an internal source, thereby avoiding the one-way exclusivity clause. Negotiating power greatly enhanced....

Continued.....

SGE