Thank you Monty.
it makes a lot of sense. It would seem that if any one of the defendants elects to settle, and Chanbond elects to accept that settlement, the % attributable to that defendant (and the associated amount) would become the basis for all other defendants' settlement amounts.
However, just to throw another wrench into the equation, if one defendant wants to settle, I imagine the remaining Cisco12 could accept that pro-ration and just use that amount toward the final settlement. Thus dissolving any further compensation required or owed from the one company which settled toward the final disposition or settlement to Chanbond.
May easily become very confusing for the Cisco 13 and might become another reason for them to settle early and then subsequently determine the equitable ratio for each to be used. Hopefully there are two or three strong players wanting to settle and apply pressure to all the other participants to do so as well. That would be nice.
