[dragonwriter]

> I think, for most people, the damages are all that matter.

They certainly aren't all that matters legally, because damage awards aren't the obly remedy in patent cases, injunctive relief is available.

> It's whether you're going to be sued

While damages effect the risk that you will be sued, Tesla is in fact being sued here.

> and lose a lot of money.

Sure, but damages aren't the only costly outcome. In this case, an injunction that forces a non-infringing redesign would be expensive for Tesla even before considering any damage award.