QFT-Gold is protected by a combination of patents and exclusive licensing till 2016.
The In-tube process is currently patent pending. To my knowledge, there have been no challenges to that patent and I expect none. This patent will provide protection until at least 2021.
The company has indicated that it has other related developments in the pipeline.
Given all of the above I personally have no concerns about the ability of the company to retain and grow it's market into the short, middle and long future.
I agree with re your point (a). Furthemore, the company have indicated that with the increases of sales that we have seen there has also been a lessening of the "lumpiness" that we have seen in the past. The figures that we have seen from 09Q1 tend to support that comment.
CST Price at posting:
$2.26 Sentiment: LT Buy Disclosure: Held
