Bad analogy. Not even close. Who states that DFMI couldn't transfer the license? Keep in mind that Iterated changed to MediaBin, who sold to Interwoven, who sold to Autonomy, who sold to Hewlwtt Packard. How do we know/not know if Panik executed a license or informed the numerous new owners?
The licensee was DFMI. TMMI wasn't the licensee, nor was DFI. If you've done your DD you would know that DFI was an S corporation and couldn't fulfill Iterated's demands of a 5% ownership in the licensee. That's why DFMI was borne (a C corp) so that it could give Iterated 5% of the shares.