he bought mor than a "hit" team RE: Was this a PatIN a way yes!....
these guys by all appearances seem to be of the elite in their field of programming and for all instensive purposes are guns for hire BUT given all the proprietary solutions and pioneering technologies invloved Dave was ABSOLUTELY brilliant in aquiring their expterise into the fold and OWNING IT!!!
If anyone has an nth of knowledge about the programming world, "contracted" programming firms NEVER EVER give you propreitory rights to the software they design for you THERFORE Dave had no choice but to OWN THEM and CONTINUE to own all the rights to the technology.