You did make one very good point that I didn't touch:

"It could take longer if the line item was not specifically included in the current annual (or possibly quarterly) budget."

That is a hard one to get past.  Hopefully most of these companies were notified long enough ago to have budgeted for it.  With the size of many of the infringing companies involved, and the frequency of this type occurance, they may budget for it annually as normal business expense.  Or so I hope!

SGE