To: D.J.Smyth who wrote (3760 ) 2/6/2000 4:04:00 PM From: Manx Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 5195
FROM RB: By: telcom_guru Reply To: 49975 by continuum Sunday, 6 Feb 2000 at 1:56 PM EST Post # of 50020 More on Press Releases. IDC has provided worthy press releases, each of which has positively affected the perceived value of the company. See interdigital.com for a recent list. When there is something to say, it is said. There is much that cannot be said. A constant barrage of press releases with no new valid news could put IDC's investors at risk. 1. It is highly probable, and the Company has indicated, that IDC's confidentiality agreements with its partners restrict IDC from releasing information regarding what it is doing for or with each. See message 47252 ragingbull.com re IDC and AT&T deal. The wisdom behind saying little is also exemplified in this article. Secrecy is imperative to manufacturers until they are ready to hit the market with their latest product. The hope of all mfrs. is to beat its competitors to market with a product built on an idea they believe and hope will win and one of which their competitors had not thought. IDC's partners are all operating in a highly competitive market. 2. Manufacturers of finished products simply do not waste their time talking (in words or print) about all the contributors of the parts of their products. There would be no room to talk about their own products and achievements. Look on your mother board, open up a phone or radio and etc.. You'll find lots of names on the various parts inside, and you can't even see all the IPRs used to comprise the finished product. The companies that do the touting are the parts makers. (Intel & BASF are the "parts" makers that tout the best.) IDC is a part of, not the whole, finished product. IDC and its investors are probably the ONLY ones who think IDC's part is of utmost importance. 3. IDC is in the midst of litigation being handled by extremely competent attorneys, who have certainly advised IDC to say as little as possible. A simple utterance can be twisted and turned by the opposition into its own ammunition. Therefore, the less said or printed, the less potential bait for ERICY's attorneys to use and misconstrue. Many companies just don't know what may or may not be said, hence, nothing is assumed to be the best choice. Quiet periods are a perfect example of this. 4. A continuous stream of press releases that provide no new news can ultimately have disastrous effects. If the stock soars as a result, and then sinks for whatever reason, the co. could ultimately have a more difficult time climbing up again. It could also be hit with class action suits provided by law firms that thrive on such suits (if they can find anything to misconstrue into having mislead investors.) Such empty press releases can more easily be construed as hype and/or present an appearance of desperation, or it could provide fuel to journalists who might question in print the possibility of hype vs. substance. These could lead investors to sell or wait even longer to buy. A stock whose price appears to have risen too quickly from hype can fall quickly by the same amount for any reason. (We are there and doing that.) Any number of occurrences in the market or in the world, in a day, cause stock prices to plummet. Typically the market sells first, and ask questions later. The perceived value of IDC grew to the high 20's as a result of the release in Nov. of news of value, which was finally seen and interpreted as such by more than its core investors. (We'd known for many weeks that the patents had been revalidated.) It then spurted to 80+ on hype, hope and the coattails of the market in December. It has settled back (as have most all the tech stocks) into the 20's in January. The company releases news when it believes (see note to Continuum below) it has news of value to release that it may release. Rather than hope for more press releases, hope for more good news that can be released! If nothing comes before, in just 4 more days we will have news. Pray that it is good! Press releases to pump up the price of the stock is not building value in the stock. True value takes time to build, and more time to be recognized and rewarded. Continuum, your point below is one that seems to be valid and a good idea. So, why don't you call the Company and ask Rip about it? The Company is not closed to good ideas. As QCOM has brought to brighter light the importance of IPRs in this industry, (and for many other good reasons) this is a good time for IDC to follow through with your suggestion. I'd be interested in knowing Rip's response. "2. IDC has been awarded more than a dozen new patents in 99. Why is this announced with just a NUMBER at year end? What are the patents anyway? Why not make a release AT LEAST for the more significant ones AS THEY'RE AWARDED? It may not be a common practice for all companies. But then again, IDC's patent-based business model is unlike most others." tg