Yeah, I went through the ``front end`` thought process recently, describing the different potential initial contract types and what typically are the IP rights under each.

While APS may not have had the backing to front EDIG engineering of the original digE, EDIG wasn`t exactly rolling in money either. However, the expectation of a deal with AlaskaAir (at minimum) may have been enough of an enticement for EDIG to front development costs (would have to go back and look at probable timing for all this stuff, i.e., was there a cash infusion via financing to EDIG around the time they would have been working on this?). If EDIG fronted development costs, all IP is likely their`s. And I still haven`t seen a patent out of APS/Wencor covering the digEplayer other than cosmetics. They`ve got that one re: digEsystem, though it seems more focused on the ``modular`` aspect.

Also, I`m under the impression (possibly in error) that the development of the original digE wasn`t THAT big a deal. After all, EDIG has been working on this type stuff (securing content) for a long, long time (remember SDMI?). Again, I may be very wrong, but it seems they could have knocked the digE out without THAT much effort.

Why do I suspect I`m wrong on this stuff? 15 engineers (currently). 15! That`s a lot of concentrated talent to my thinking (again, vision of the Three Stooges times 5!). Now they`re working the medE. 15!? One product, albeit integrating a lot of functionality. But 15?

Doni, EL, somebody who has worked in the general field - does that sound excessive? For one product?

TIA,

SGE