Patopinion, You raise an interesting point.
"Did Idcc pay Pantech to use Idcc's patents?"
Hopefully this is just an example of Merritt's "creative licensing" approach. Some of these smaller companies are good investments anyway, and if a small investment in the company will grease the licensing gears then just keep your fingers crossed.
Later and Best, bulldzr
"So often times it happens, that we live our life in chains, and we never even know we have the key."
-The Eagles