Last month in ESNUG 454 when the actual Synopsys vs. Magma trial had first
began, I thought it would be interesting to ask two questions.  The bulk of
the replies were of the "I-don't-know-but-I-hate-lawyers" type, but two
stood out for what they see:

> 1.) Months from now, when everything's said and done, I *hope* the
>     end result will be:

  "I hope that Magma comes out completely clean and that all the legal
   nonsense ends ASAP.  Then I hope they figure out a way to merge and
   take control of Mentor and create something really powerful and new.
   Then I hope they sell to TSMC for $4B and Rajiv hosts a great DAC
   party with the Rolling Stones as an opening act.  Aart would play
   guitar with the band.  All would be forgiven and everyone would be
   rich.  They'd pass out $100 bills at the party and bus in hot dancing
   girls for all the single EDA guys.  EDA girls (all 5 of them) would
   get to hang backstage with Mick Jagger."

         ----    ----    ----    ----    ----    ----   ----

  "I hope for a settlement which gets both companies back to investing
   in R&D rather than in legal fees.  It's noticeable that recently
   Magma's R&D expenditure has been dropping while their 'cost of sales'
   has been increasing.  The industry needs as many players pushing the
   envelope in different directions as possible.  Magma going away or
   being severely handicapped would not be a good thing."

> 2.) Months from now, when everything's said and done, I *predict* the
>     end result will be:

  "I think that LAVA will ultimately have to pay some $ ($50M, $100M,
   $150M?) and frankly deserve to given the stupidity of stirring up the
   bees nest in the first place.  SNPS deserves to be pissed.  Expect
   the stock is much higher when legal is finally resolved in 2 years."

         ----    ----    ----    ----    ----    ----   ----

  "I predict a big payment from Magma to Synopsys which seriously
   drains their reserves and puts them on the block for acquisition
   (by Mentor perhaps?)."

And although at one time in person many of the Synopsys and Magma employees
couldn't stop gossiping about this lawsuit, not *one* of them filed their
thoughts to these two quickie questions.  Funny!