IEEE Spectrum: How did you first become involved with Charles Moore?

LECKRONE: Chuck Moore and TPL got acquainted in the late 1980s. Moore wanted an environment where individual inventors would ultimately end up with ownership and control over what they had done, so TPL’s function was to protect the fruits of their research

Was it Dan? Or was the goal to obtain much of it for yourself and all others be damned??

Another part of our strategy is to create motivation through a tiered pricing structure—early licensees pay less than later licensees. The companies that can get through the decision-making process in a relatively entrepreneurial and unbureaucratic way will realize the fruits of being first or second or third, but not tenth. We always say, ”By not purchasing a license, you’re making a decision that the higher price is okay with you.” That’s not a threat. It’s just a reality. We just don’t want there to be any surprises in the future.

How about another strategy..co-mingle the MMP with other IP that you own..sell the MMP on the cheap..and offer no such discount on your other IP..and make your MMP partner foot the bill in the process..if there ever was a fox in the hen house..THIS IS IT..