Because the "microreaction technology system" was in claims #2, #3, and #4. QMC's patent is a continuous flow synthesis utilizing microreactor design. That's their invention. They don't own all continuous flow production techniques. They don't own all reactor designs. Dow isn't claiming a microreactor design. (Assuming "milli" is larger.)
As usual QMC used language that covered lots of scenarios. Dow could have requested a product sample as a competitive analysis step and it would have fallen under QMC's claim. Dow partnering with QMC was pure speculation with the only support being the ambiguous hinting by QMC. Not solid ground for a conclusion, IMO.
QMC is a tiny company with limited... everything. Of course they are going to be pressured by competitors (and potential customers). QMC's limited number of employees is not a strength, it is a weakness. It's not reasonable to think 1 or 2 post grads are going to be able to keep up with the army of QD researchers around the world over the long term. If I am XYZ chemical company with an interest in QD's, you bet I find a way to advance the state of the art and block a little guys path to market. If QMC has something of value, the big guys will definitely use their size advantage to acquire the technology, outright or via license. The question is, does QMC have something of value? So far, that remains to be seen.
