"J. Clarke" wrote:

One way or another, the company was contractually obligated to make
the payments or defend itself in lawsuits in which it would be in
breach of contract, with the result that the expense would likely be
several times greater.

Screw the contract, not going to honor it.

So sue me, the gates of hell will have frozen over befrore any money
changes hands, except for the legal fees.

The above has happened many times.

Lew