InterDigital Inc (IDCC)

[Danny Detail]

Loop, dmiller .. With the advent of the Internet, the plans of all managements to maximize shareholder value have clearly become unduly exposed to the significant risk of stupid acts by the very shareholders whose value management is working hard to increase. Uninformed management bashing and character assasination, unfounded accusations of management malfeasance, trivializing of the underlying business challenges, amateurish and overly simplistic proposed "solutions" to the given problem at hand, repeated threats to report management to the various regulatory authorities, clumsy attempts at trying to exert inappropriate influence over the management of the company, using an investment forum to elicit support for shareholder revolts, etc. significantly undermine and complicate the pursuit of DD on the part of individual investors who use Internet Investment Forums as part of their DD.

Even this investment forum which most recognize as one of the very best and one that certainly has the most diligent moderator has been unable to insulate itself from the kinds of stupid acts referred to above, proving once again that there is no defense for stupidity. Ironically, those on this forum who are the most vociferous in disparaging the intelligence and business competency of IDCC management (ellismd and ams come first to mind) have shown a consistent willingness, even desire, to be first in line to commit those ill conceived acts which have the potential to be a drag on the share price. Moreover, when such instances occur they consistently lay 110% blame at the feet of management while failing to recognize that they have become a significant part of the problem rather than contributing to the solution.

This is not meant in any way to suggest that I think that Investor forums should only be about good news and opinions and that management is off limits to criticism. Quite the contrary. We all know the positive aspects of IDCC's story by now. We all need an ongoing objective and realistic balance regarding the risks associated with our respective IDCC investments. Fortunately, many posters here do an excellent and professional job of doing just that. Unfortunately, just one stupid act by a "loose cannon" member of this forum can undo all the good that is done here for posters and lurkers alike.


Regards,
Danny