Milacs
I am not sure that I "ably assist" anyone on the acolytes thread! Anyway, this idea that there is someone big in the background DOES make sense, and it doesn't HAVE to be "reportable" (not sure there is such a word, but you know what I mean). Nor does CJP HAVE to have been lying. Admittedly CJP's pronouncements have to be scrutinised to look for multiple possible meanings, but that could also fit a "big boy in the wings" scenario?
Say, for example, that CJP expected to sign a very big deal 2 years ago (which would explain the bullish statements then), some delays occurred (that CJP can't control), then the big player decides it would be so much simpler if the patents were tied up 100%, and so on and so on. A lifetime of "selling" has certainly taught me that you can have such clients, who can be very friendly, but cannot be rushed into the deal. There's no deal, so nothing to announce. No legal commitments at all, so nothing to announce. But it could be so near he can "taste it"!
Could fit the facts? Anyway, we'll see soon?