From the Agora board, via RB:
1. There has been a carefully crafted, meticulously researched and ingeniously executed plan in place from the get-go. It is working beautifully and in only six months time, has resulted in six major settlements with big-name companies.
2. Once notified of their infringement, the meter is running and the cost of settlement for the infringers goes up every month. Hence, Dan Leckrone's emphatic statement (take note, Emit) at the ASHM: ''That's what it's all about!!'' PRESSURE.
3. As separate confirmation of this tactic, the Seiko Epson PR mentions focusing on ''leaders capable of making QUICK strategic business decisions'' (i.e. those that are interested in saving themselves some cash). PRESSURE.
4. In the same vein, there is now NO emphasis on the 'discount' available to early licensees. The discount may just be: ''If you sign today, you pay a lot less than if you sign 6 months from now'' because the meter IS running. ''That's what it's all about!!''. PRESSURE.
5. If companies refuse this 'carrot', there is the 'big stick' of court action, possible injunctions, and possible huge jury awards against them. PRESSURE.
6. Competitors are signing deals NOW, saving themselves millions of dollars, avoiding costly court actions and getting the jump on non-signers. PRESSURE.
7. The number of infringing companies is growing month-by-month. At the shareholder's meeting, one of the participant's answer to a question (I can't remember who, can you help me out, Virt?) left me with the idea that the number of 'violators' had risen to the 250-350 range, or even 400. 'Hundreds' is one word that comes to mind. And Mac Leckrone indicated that with each settlement, the new licensee now becomes a 'stool pigeon' and provides information on companies that they work with, or know about (for example, their suppliers) that are also infringing. It is becoming an ever-widening net, capturing more and more 'fish'. PRESSURE.
8. Related to #6 above, the ''$250 billion dollar per year'' value of infringing products that is commonly cited on this board is most likely a great understatement, since it is an old figure from PTSC research a couple of years back. I don't think PTSC knew at the time the true full value of the patents it held.
9. The secrecy surrounding this whole campaign is mission critical in working with these companies and getting them to license without going to court. The entire process is being handled in a professional, discreet, respectful manner with great integrity, so that the 'big boys' will work with us and not fight it. As much as we don't like being in the dark, it is indispensible to our success as investors in this stock.
I am definitely excited about the next twelve months and the coming 'developments'. Come October 2007 I think we will all be very happy with the course of events.
THE PRESSURE IS ON!
