As for your "it was private for a short time" theory. I am not even sure how to respond to that. If nova got sublicencees before it bought up HNWS, then that is a huge plus to Nova and IBCL - not a negative. Anyone using IBCL's patents must pay IBCL directly or indirectly. Don't get bent out of shape by this, but I think you are panicing in the wrong areas.