Intellectual property needs to be aggressively defended. Whether MTH, or any other manufacturer, is overzealous in their litigation, is for others to debate. The fact is the consumer bears the cost, but also reaps the benefits of the innovation that is created. Don't you think computers would be cheaper if AMD and Intel did not have a half dozen lawsuits against each other? How about the myriad of lawsuits between Microsoft and Apple? Or even the dozens of lawsuits Microsoft has has with other software developers? In today's world, litigation is an unfortunate cost of business. The model train lawsuits are magnified because they interfere with our enjoyment of the hobby.
I believe, even with the litigation, the competition between MTH and Lionel (not to mention products offered by Atlas, Weaver, Williams, RMT, et al) have allowed all of us to buy better products at a price lower than we would have if there were only one manufacturer.
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