Another good "food for thought" post by you. Let us discuss it...

The EDIG patents are almost the same age as those held by PTSC.

The issue of "ENDING" of the patents came up in the last shareholders meeting of PTSC, almost a year ago...

My recollection of the explanation given by the Senior Lackrone, (the senior attorney for TPL, PTSC's partners  in the their patent ligation), was that there is an "Extension of time" beyoned the date a patent would run out, which tacked on the time still left on the patent expiration date will give you the true time  left that is covered by a patent...

In PTSC case it workerd out to another 9 years left as the "COVERED PERIOD", even though the patents would be running out sooner...

Perhaps some one else here is also from PTSC and can dig this information out...

In short, if EDIG patents have another 6 years left on their "life span", there is further extention of that time by few more years. It does not stop on the exact date of the "expiration" of the patent.

You conclude by saying the following:

"Last, the talk about settlements (plural) is premature in my opinion seeing as how there has not even been a response to the complaint at this point."

The reason there has been no response to the complaint at this point is the fact that the "SEALED SUMMONS" was "ISSUED on 9/24/07" . Even assuming it was "SERVED" on vivitar the same day they have 30 days from date of service to file their ANSWER. 

Simply put lack of ANSWER by VIVITAR thus far in no way leads to a conclusion that there shall be only one settlement. I submit you can bet the back 10 acres of your ranch on the fact that DM did not get into this law suit looking only to settle with VIVITAR and call it quits.

And, I can assure you that there will be more than one settlement  and AWARDS when the dust settles, and talking about them is not that "Unrealistic" as you would like to make it...

GLTA...

Gil...