Doodlebug:

I think buyout over long term licensing for a couple of reasons. One, that was their initial intent. We've been hearing about "liquidity events" for 2 years. What they discovered though is that without really having any leverage, ie a working product, no-one would come to this auction they were supposedly going to hold.

Now the SSC has changed strategies, and presented a move towards development and licensing. Once they get a partner, (hopefully a big one) they can proceed as if they're going to license...in which case, they now threaten a 400 billion dollar industry. That to me is the best way to flush out one of these mega companies that's sitting on a mountain of cash, many of which are panic buying to keep market share.

So, I'm not really saying they're going to do one thing or the other (license vs sell)...I think they're putting themselves in the best positioni to choose, and gain leverage in the meantime. I simply don't believe someone else will let them get that far.