They split away from NEC in January of 2007 and then settled distinctly from teh other J's in December,

 I've never quite understood that.   Perhpas they had weker legs to stand on because of the January license but it confuses me.

 Did the other settle  on certain patents while NEC settles on all 3 as an extension of the January license.  Perhaps the january License provided for special pricing for additonal 

NEC companies and they got a cheaper price while the other 

J;s paid through the nose 

We all sort of paid no attention to the NEC America separation but lately I'm beginning to wonder...........