When you're convinced you've been wronged, it can be hard to give up the fight. You dig your heels in and say you won't abandon your crusade until justice has been done.
Well, sometimes you have to back down. And doing so is made all the more easier if you get $65-million out of it.
Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss have spent years feuding with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, their former Harvard classmate. The Winklevoss twins allege Mr. Zuckerberg stole the idea for the social network from them.
They had plans to appeal to the Supreme Court over an April ruling that upheld a $65-million settlement they received from Facebook in 2008, saying they deserved more money because they'd been deceived by the company and Mr. Zuckerberg. But now, as Reuters reports, they have decided to finally bury the hatchet.
Their public grudge match with Facebook has certainly been the most public, but not the most hard-fought.
In 1967, Robert Kearns patented his great invention: the intermittent windshield wiper for cars, according to the New York Times. He tried to sell his product to the big three auto makers but all turned him away. Later, they began putting wipers in that style on their vehicles.
Mr. Kearns took Chrysler and Ford to court, at times representing himself instead of hiring legal counsel. After years in court, Mr. Kearns won a total of $28.9-million from the two automakers.
The Winklevosses argued for years they deserved more money from the company that allegedly wronged them, but it was probably wise for them to quit while they were ahead.
While Mr. Kearns may have come out the winner in the Ford and Chrysler cases, it's questionable whether it was worth it. His wife, who felt like the legal battles took over her husband's life, eventually left him.
How far have you taken a grudge? What made you give it up?
Dakshana Bascaramurty