 KPS attempted to settle out-of-court with offers to extend the coupon validity, but the offer was rejected by claimants.The four claimants won their lawsuit on 23 October 1998, and KPS was forced to refund the coupons, opening possible floodgates for further claims.KPS blamed the ruling for sealing the fate of the company when talks with a major corporation about a takeover broke down amid the strife.