InterDigital Inc (IDCC)

[thelurker]

Data,
While I also appreciate where you're going with this exercise, it really is almost disingenuous for two reasons. First, be it LG or Samsung these large deals were made with a gun pointed against IDCC's head. And unlike Russian Roulette, there were three or four bullets in the gun.

Why? In LG's case because they were the first major and breaking the logjam was absolutely critical. With Samsung, Nokia having been delayed, a loss would have been near death in a depression economy. Better to live to fight another day.

Secondly, giving what amounts to almost 20% imputed interest rates on prepaid discounts is not done because IDCC can invest the money in the bank and earn that rate of return. It is because these pricks sign contracts and then don't pay. 'Want your money IDCC-then sue me!'. So IDCC discounts for a fast pay with a big trigger that non-payment invalidates a long term license.

These are the reasons management keeps saying that having cash in the bank makes for better discussions going forward. Not that your numbers are wrong, but in the hopes that the future doesn't mirror the past.