The attitude of your posts is disgusting. Both the firm, and the startup made big mistakes here. The answer should be to get a lawyer, because none of us know all sides of the issue, and that is going to be the end result anyways. A lawyer, or drop it. There is no need to attack the above posters for having an opinion opposite of yours. And your analogy is worse than the one posted above. Regardless of whether or not you are in the auto technology sector (why do you even assume people know that about you before commenting)?
Exactly, so don't shit all over people with your superior "I'm in the auto technology sector so my analogy is better than yours" bullshit. His analogy and points are perfectly fine and I agree with him, but furthermore you being a jackass makes me automatically dismiss your arguments.