I don't think the share price will find support easily. Hope I am wrong.
I got in at the wrong moment in time but hopefully this works out in the end. I think VPLM has a strong case and the risk reward is still very positive. However, I don't see anything right now that will be a near term support for the share price. VPLM is a stock that trades on rumors and potential settlement talk. With years of little progress it appeared real movement forward was happening. But the next event on the calendar is the trial in July. I am sure other things will happen prior to a trial. At this point I don't know what those are. After the loss at the recent Marksman hearing, and I know some will call it a win, I think they lost some momentum. I read they are trying to change the judges decision. Maybe they have an argument to get that done. We will hear if that happens. But the fact the company didn't issue a statement and add it to the company webpage tells me that the results are not what VPLM hoped to see as an outcome. I would love the company to provide some sort of statement regarding this matter.
I have heard from a couple people that the IR guy did indicated the executives were getting tired of fighting. This is not something you want to hear from IR and hopefully Emil is telling him not to say that in the future. That was a poor choice of words for an IR guy. IF management is tired it doesn't show faith that they are getting close to the end. If they have been fighting for 10 years and they were getting close to the end you would like to hear IR say its been a long fight but there is a lot of excitement within the company as they feel the hard work is nearing an end. They are tired from the fight but are planning to see this to an end and anticipate a positive result from this long and difficult battle. A message like this would be what you want to hear.
I am sure the fight has been difficult. I am also sure that Emil and team would love to see a decent settlement happen so everyone can be rewarded and move on with their life. I listened to Emil speak from a few years ago and he said he just wanted crumbs. For the Amazon's of this world it is crumbs. Amazon probably is spending many millions in legal fees on this matter and could have potentially settled and saved a ton. The settlement amount increases the longer it takes and the closer they get to a trial. Unfortunately these big companies tend to drag these things out hoping companies tire and give up protecting their patents. Companies either settle for a fraction of the value of the patent or run out of money to continue the fight. That is not going to happen here. It has been a long fight and it seems obvious that VPLM will not stop until they get a decent settlement or get to trial. I just want to know what else these companies can do to delay the July trial. I am calling IR to discuss this. I have several questions I hope to get addresed.
The one other thing I would like to hear more about is our patent attorney. I have heard many say is a very talented and successful lawyer. But recently I was told that one of the investors here listened to a public hearing and did not come away impressed. Are there others here that have watched our legal team in action and are you impressed with their knowledge and ability in a courtroom? Some lawyers are great with research and moving cases forward but are not amazing in a courtroom setting. Has anyone here seen our team in action and do they stand up well to a team from Amazon and other huge tech companies on the defense side.
As for Kauaui Girl and others expecting a huge settlement, her number of $28, I would not anticipate anything close to this. VPLM does not want a trial any more than the defendants do. I would expect a settlement that results in $.50- $3 in total value per share. That would be a number that the big boys could potential live with and would be a good reward for LT shareholders awaiting a settlement. If you have a million shares you bought for $10-$20K and get a settlement of $1M you have to be happy. Even a settlement that results in you receiving $100-$250K is a great outcome. It is possible if the defendants feel they have a strong enough case they will go to trial but I would anticipate a settlement some time prior to that trail. I just hope the judge keeps the date July. But the settlement likely happens in June or July. It doesn't often happen too far in advance of a trial. But the judge will be pushing hard to get a settlement so the trial does not happen. Hope he is successful in his efforts. I think the best way to force a settlement is to tell the defendants they are not going to be successful in moving the venue and he is not moving the trial date. Plus he can tell the defendants that he is growing very tired of their games and they are not making the court happy with their actions. no defendant wants to go to trial with a judge that is not impartial and if they continue stalling Judge Albright is not going to be a happy camper in July.
I feel sorry for those here for the last 10 years. The wait is always hard. Hopefully it is just about over.
