<What I meant to say is TPL had no horse in this race until it agreed to do the the work in maximizing the MMP>

I agree.

<they had NO rights to the patent when the contention for ownership started>

I disagree. They certainly had rights. It's a question as to whether those rights included ownership. TPL says yes, Moore says no. A court of law has already found that TPL is at least an owner of the MMP. That decision based on docs that Moore is challenging. IMO, TPL is an owner until a court of law says differently.

<so with no rightful ownership how did they gain it???>

I believe Moore's complaint spells that out. Moore did not know what he was signing, the contents not fully explained to him, did not have the benefit of counsel etc.....

Opty