Those that did , did it their peril. One needs to investigate what is and what is not available . Thats what patents are all about. If someone has a gadget and he decides , hey I can put this with this other thing and bingo we are home. Wrong. Ignorance of the law is not and never will be an excuse. When the courts decide on an issue you either were right or wrong period. If wrong you need to square up with the one you wrong or the courts will do so.

Those 170 infringers knowingly used what was not their to use. When big companies do it they hope that they will not be caught at it and when they are they pay.

Just look at this for some 10 years at least some parts of what EDIG owned was used without their permission due to a partnership agreement and not a dime was received by EDIG even after some engineering work went into the project. That cost EDIG.

you can't have it both ways. When these companies found that the product can be used they knew it would be years before they will be made to pay up. It was part of their scheme.

In order for any company to have clear sailing on their gadget they must verify that all their parts are free and clear. If not then they need to get the clearance by an agreement with the other company in order to produce the item.