Even if Mark's "attitude" is correct, as I've posted before, the worst case scenario is that TPL will avoid chip makers and focus on 2nd tier.
This IS what they have been doing for quite some time. There are a lot of them. And the potential money may be greater going this route than via 1st tier.
Then TPL can declare that the existing licenses to chip makers, specifically Intel, AMD and HP, are invalid because the intent did not envision that those license fees were to encompass not only the chip maker, but all their customers. Renegotiate for much more money/royalties.
The worst case scenario ain't bad, at all. And it appears the worst case scenario isn't the reality of the situation.
JMHOs,
SGE