First, IMO, nobody is going to "sit on" settlement news.  This is a legal proceeding, and stock market issues won't even be considered IMO.  When it happens, it'll be announced, even if on Thursday.

Second, while you may be right and numbers were put on the table in the short-lived mediation, I'd bet they were far apart due to at least one thing - the ACP issue.  IMO, that stopped everything - hence the joint request for an expedited ruling.  I further suspect that JW ruled on that issue "in private", and I suspect that with the ruling, the spectre of a MSJ from our team was looming large in the minds of the opposition (whether it was overtly threatenned or not), as well as the spectre of JW ruling the MSJ in our favor.  IMO, that's what got them to the table - no real choice/too much risk of blatant defeat (with huge damages and possible treble trouble, not to mention an injunction).

But you can bet they're beat up the numbers now!  And, IMO, we're negotiating from tremendous strength (USPTO be damned!).

JMHOs, and I KNOW nuttin'!  'Cept I do know that this is how a civil discussion of opinions is discussed - opposing opinions by two both routing for our team!

SGE