Perhaps they're laying people off because the anticipate the patents coming out of the reexams better/stronger than expected and don't forsee the need to litigate as much?

I don't know but lay-offs usually always = bad and hiring = good. As Opty pointed out, it looks like TPL could be hurting and CM seems to be insinuating this. I was speculating that once the patents are re-certified, TPL plans on selling them - but I would assume that CM would have to know about it. Hopefully we will find out something soon.