Sound of One Hand Clapping

"The fact that non-parties have been encouraged to join in the settlement and contribute, thereby expanding the settlement funds, should be applauded by Muchnick," the opposition brief says.

Pardon me if I applaud with only one hand. Excuse me, "expanding the settlement funds"? It looks more like the core defendants settled on an $18 million cap, then sold off shares to participating publishers throughout the industry.

Expanding the settlement funds? Does that mean that without the vague additions of non-parties to the release, Category A claims would be $500, instead of $1,500, and Category C's would be a coupon for a discounted subscription to the infringing magazine or newspaper, instead of $5 to $60?