Of course there is no deadline, but buyout or licensing talks don't drag on for a year+. If these companies were interested in a "deal" it would have happened by now, knowing that the VPLM lawsuits against them are moving forward anyway. No reason to delay making a deal...just like there is no reason apple wouldn't go to court right away, as you've suggested many times. The only reason is if they have nothing to worry about.
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