No companies, much less the biggies, want to be labeled in the industry as thieves(although many are). I have a feeling that settlement negotiations are a non starter without the NDA. They would much rather give up money than reputation. The word can always get out on a larger scale, but when dozens have settled(flash patents) the tentacles reach way beyond just those companies. On the other hand, if the current settlement negotiations regarding a Nunchi suit come to fruition, I would be willing to take less money being that they are the first, if they are willing to allow disclosure by way of a PR.