Interesting threads.
by normnowak
Immediately AFTER Microsoft settled with VCSY (Aug 28th or so) i am sure Raymond Niro was in discussions with IBM.Remember, NO patent infringement lawsuit was or has been filed against ibm....Let's say that Niro came up with a "royalty"agreement over the next 3 months....that would put us into january 2009.....if, and i stress if ibm paid anything to vcsy, it may have occured over the first 3 months of 2009.....the 10Q for ibm on pages 20 and 21 discuss money paid that includes intellectual propery (royalty)....the amount for the jan to march time is $30 Million dollars MORE that the time ending dec.2008.... THAT money would NOT be listed under " Legal" because NO lawsuit was filed..... Just pointing out a $30 million dollar increase in expenses that include "IP"...One other point, Microsoft DID hire a lawfirm to settle with vcsy( markman extension so that new firm could be called in).....Why call in a firm to settle if settlement is so so small????? Microsof't's lawyers ( who settle or fight all the time) couldn't work out a couple million dollar settlement with vcsy ? had to hire a specialist to close the deal? just asking! by the way, 8 months AFTER Niro settled the vcsy case, BackWEB Co. filed a patent infringement lawsuit case against Microsoft......why would backweb hire niro if he did NOT deliver the goods to vcsy? lots of lawyers would take a case (yes, even on a contingency) against Microsoft.........Just asking ! |
by normnowak
Rovner is quite the star lawyer...#1.....she works for the law firm Weil Gotshal&Manges...Same law firm that represented Microsoft is its HUGE Eolas lawsuit ( $500 Million before a final settlement). Weil also represented Microsoft in its victory in 2007 against Acacia and MANY others....Weil Gotshal &Manges is also a leader in AQUISITIONS.....If the vcsy patent is as valuable to microsft as we all hope it is, would microsoft want to be on a vcsy chain for the next couple of years? Would microsoft want to take a chance of a competitor (google,ibm,adobe) buying vcsy and having to answer to them? Weil Gotlshal and manges would first have Rovner deal with Niro and the royalty value of the patents....then have the M&A department work out the details.....Now before you start shouting that the shareholders have to vote on a buyout, do your dd and see what percentage is needed.....preferred vs. common share voting rights, etc. |
Posted by Portuno Diamo
at 9:51 PM EDT
Updated: Monday, 13 July 2009 9:57 PM EDT
