The same scenario can be applied to mergers and acquisitions where multiple parties need assurances that each participant will act as required. Many times, these complex deals can take many months or even years to finalize. In those cases, an escrow provider holds cash or other valuable assets securely until the parties make good on their obligations. Some other examples of transactions that commonly utilize escrow include the sales of real estate and intellectual property.
Months or even years? Did Wade make a deal to sell all when someone was through with their research and development and ready to put it all out there for sale ? Hmmm. Or has our new BoD made a deal with a future date hinging on the courts / trials / settlements outcomes? Hmmmmm