I agree, if dealReporter does have a source it is from HTC. And if so, their perspective on this transaction is a lot like looking through an empty toilet paper role. They have no peripherals. I can't see HTC being the one to lead any consortium but only apart of a larger one lead by an Apple or Google and/or Intel etc. As for Apple, Apple is definitely involved somewhere and Apple does not allow leaks. Hence, the silence. Bill Merritt has said as much as to their secretiveness. For Apple, this is war. Loose lips sink ships and can cost them these patents.
All these parties are operating in a bubble, individual ones. HTC apparently has a leak. If dealReporter's source is a lowly corporate lawyer getting paid for info in order to satisfy their cocaine addiction I take their information as being useless and littered with conjecture and projection. The only truth, at minimum to be gleamed from them is that this process continues. But we already knew that.
I am not sure about who specifically we have involved on the Barclay's and Evercore team but I can only hope that they are their A-Team's. Like a good sports general manager leading up to the trading deadline with a coveted player, their ability will be judged on how they create a market to get the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels and Phillies to outbid each other and eventually overpay for InterDigital.
Can't wait for this to be over. Hopefully soon.
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