Strength of an IP can be a factor, or an important factor in any settlement discussion & agreement. But the mere fact of an agreenent does not necessary validate an IP because of other financial, economic and strategic factors. Was the "it is cheaper to settle than to litigate" the main driver in this Worlds & Linden settlement?
The Worlds-Linden settlement for SURE will give a big psychological boost of patent validation to IP owner and shareholders, but the real validation or the validation that matters is the validation hands down by the court and the jury.
People can embrace this Worlds-Linden settlement as a validation of IP for planning & evaluation of risk, investing purposes. But the ultimate validation that will decide the LIVELYHOOD of Worlds is the validation that comes from the court and the jury.