Hello guys and gals,
Take this for whatever it is worth. Maybe nothing, since it is general in scope, or something worthy given the sources.I have a friend who is the CEO of a publicly traded company. I also have a better friend who is the CFO of a publicly traded company. Most of you own these companies, either in separate stock or mutual funds. They read this board, but have never posted. They began following PTSC 2.5 years ago when I alerted them to the stock. They have performed the same level of DD many of us do. One is an attorney. They laughed at me and PTSC, initially. “Put your money somewhere else.”
Speaking to them (separately, yesterday and this morning, respectively) they both said the same general things. Here is what they said (I am paraphrasing since I did not have my son's super secret decoder ring tape recorder--which I left at Joda's house when I was setting bugs in the walls):1) The settlement of the Texas case, even though we do not know the specific details yet, is monumental and looking back, that will be very obvious. 2) Given the Markman result, the former signings, the depth of investigation that has already gone into all the other licensings, et. al., AND TPLs "personality and strategic long-term visions and goals," TPL would have run this to trial rather than "roll over" for the Js. “Leckrone is a bulldog,” one of them told me. They are confident there was nothing given away, period. Of this, they have no doubt. I guess we shall see. 3) They understand the NDAs, etc. would limit in some ways what can be revealed. They wish it were otherwise, and they think Turley could have / should have said a few more generally positive things. But, he did not.
4) They also both agree that given the high stakes research, investigation, and due diligence that each company must perform before licensing the MMP (which if wrongly licensed exposes each company to potential litigation AND potentially a class action lawsuit for breach of fiduciary duty, by the way--the CEO brought that up), revealing immediately the dollar figures from the Texas settlement would jeopardize ongoing negotiations, "which are always, by their very nature, delicate."5) They also believe that holding as much info back will help license the MMP, and that discussions and worldwide interest in licensing the MMP is probablyy dramatically on the upswing because of the Texas settlement: "The floodgates are probably flowing heavily or will be very soon,” or words to that effect.6) They are both scratching their heads over all the conspiracy theories swirling around this board and the way the settlement has been discussed or demeaned. 7) They both agree Turley is "as perfect a fit for PTSC as you could ask for," and that if anyone is going to grow and guide this company to the big board, he can. 8) Both said the smaller-size licensing fees should end, now. If they don't, they would be upset and demand to know why. The early berth strategy was “brilliant,” but it is time to end it.
9) USPTO is almost certainly a non-issue now—and they thought it was all along a very low risk issue.10) They think the BOD needs fresh blood, and that we will likely see movement there in 2008.
11) The language used in the last PR about "business resolution" is interesting, and it means something or it would not be there. What it means remains to be determined, but given TPL and the Markman, etc. it means something positive for PTSC.
12) Finally, neither thought much of PTSC 2.5 years ago, and told me not to invest. They have since changed their minds after the Markman ruling and thought it was a very important event. They both agree the large risk has evaporated. The all-or-nothing scenario is gone. Before the Texas settlement, it was not a speculative buy, but "a VERY speculative with money you should count on losing." No longer. Still risky, but not nearly as risky—especially if you bought recently and plan to hold one-plus years.
13) The Share Price: They both agree it "should" be higher, but on the OTCBB, it is always a roller coaster crapshoot. However, the large amount of money, coupled with no debt and a brighter future, should make the ride much less choppy with steady increase over time. That's it. Take it to the bank, or throw it into your trashcan. I am only passing along what they told me. Overall, they are tipping their hat to the way all this has been handled given how it all could have gone.
Be well.
--tps