InterDigital Inc (IDCC)

[vg_future]

Thinking out loud. If not for IDCC's existing license with HTC, it would have made sense for AAPL to acquire IDCC and cross license with NOK instead of paying them (as per the NEWS sources maybe billions over period...atleast 1/2 bill for the past payment and ongoing 1% to 2% of 43 bill AAPL sales...means between 430 to 860 mill a year...ofcourse we don't know the actual agreement). Since HTC is signed with IDCC, AAPL case against HTC at ITC (did AAPL sue Samsung as well) would lose teeth...and hence the advantage for AAPL would be minimized in JMHO. AAPL could also use IDCC's patents against other manufacturers if they ever sue AAPL. It would have been an excellent value add.
At this juncture, probably it makes sense for HTC, RIMM or some other manufacturer with less patents to acquire us (instead of paying the big manufacturers...like Ericsson or NOK...NOK seemingly interested in pursuing other companies for patent licensing as per this morning's NEWS).

Maybe this is just dreaming....

-vg_future