RE:Scare the shorts: Declare $ 5 per share dividend.....
Regular shorts:
I think the dividend only has to be paid if a dividend date occurs during the period the borrowed shares are held.
And only for that period, not necessairly the entire year.
Naked shorts:
As I see it the naked shorts get away with even that dividend obligation as they don't really borrow any shares.
anyway that is what my guess is.