First, they didn`t go to court with infringers, they settled (i.e., I agree with you that going to court could take years, but neither party would really want to do that; the infringer wouldn`t want the risk, and the patent holder would want the money ASAP).

Second, PTSC`s patent situation was being contested from (who knows when, but at least) since 2004. If you were an infringer, would you be quick to settle if you knew that the patent ownership was in question? Intel got a sweetheart deal from TPL ($3.5M), pretty much on their terms (no acknowledgement of current or past infringement), probably considering it as insurance. On the heels of that, AMD settled with PTSC, on better terms with regard to the scope of the license and the licensing fee ($10M).

Then TPL and PTSC shook hands. Six months later a settlement with HP for $20M plus possible royalties, with other talks in progress (and note that litigation with Sony appears to have dropped, suggesting a possible near term settlement).

So, six months ain`t that long, and certainly not years.

As for today`s action here, emma said she had friends buying. But could it simply be some of those eVU reviewers being extremely impressed and acting on it?

And I KNOW nuttin`!

SGE