IMO it is more likely that the J3 settlement was due to the risk that TPL saw in going to trial. IMO TPL did not want to lose validity of the patents while they were being re-examined by the USPTO. IMO they decided trial was a gamble they did not want to take at that time. Better to get what you can and walk away and live to fight another day rather than risk it all before a jury with validity of the patents at stake. I think it more likely that TPL saw some weakness in the patents in the Markman. Weakness that they felt they needed to address exparte with the USPTO before attempting to take the patents to trial again.

IMO the A's looked at this time as an opportunity to strike first so they could also take advantage of TPL in a more vulnerable position and move the trial to a more friendly forum for them in California.

TPL knows that stronger patents will lead to more revenue for licensing down the road. IMO that is why licensing has come to a standstill. I can live with no licenses now as I would rather see the licensing of these companies after the revalidation process. Lets stop making the sweetheart deals.

With the recent validation of the MMP in Germany. Perhaps we will see licensing start picking up in Europe soon. Meanwhile we continue to wait for the USPTO.

As far as Patriot is concerned they have put the fait of the patents in TPL's hands. Who better than TPL to take care of the patents. They have the lawyers and the personel to get it done.

Pohl unveiled an umbrella plan a few years back that RG is starting to put in motion. It's what PTSC can do now in building a future beyond the MMP. This is what RG can control and do somthing about. The current future of PTSC is reliant on the MMP. But the future which RG is building towards is not the MMP. I think RG recognizes that ultimately that is who PTSC will be. That is what RG can control and that is where his focus is and that is what he is trying to get investors interested in. The MMP is out of his hands and his control. Ultimately the fait of the MMP is in the hands of the USPTO and TPL at this time.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't think the MMP is worth less because of somthing that happened during the J3 case. IMO TPL elected to preserve the patents, fix them with the USPTO and then hammer away at infringers.

RG knows TPL is taking care of the patents and is moving forward with what he can control and that is building for the future of PTSC.

All the best,

Steve