You asked:...

"but am starting to wonder if they make it more likely, or less likely, that the defendants will settle individually and quickly."...

Probably more likely the settlements will be in bunches...

A Markman Hearing is part and parcel of the law suit...It will not be taking place until there his been ample "Discovery"...

The Court will be scheduling a Status Conference to set a SCHEDULE to be followed by the parties in arriving to a date certain when the Markman Hearing is to be held. Until that date there be ample time for DM to twist arms to "instigate" more settlements...

Defendants in their MOTION in document 189 so much as admitted that there is ample cometition between them, and you can be sure DM shall capitalize on that.

Gil...