I think it might get REALLY interesting when the 'old players' in the hardware scene (IBM etc) pull out their books and start counter suing for tech they developed when Apple were still flogging their Apple 2s
Remember, Apple as they sit today is a company with less then 10 years in the market.
Even if they have relevant patents they would be looking for money rather than legal costs and injunctions. I think it is likely that Apple would just pay some reasonable fees and move on.
They might even view the development as positive if it cost Android manufacturers as much per unit as they typically have less margin so may have to raise their prices making the Apple products relatively more attractive.
Why would companies like IBM suddenly start suing Apple and for what possible gain ? And Apple is nearly 40 years old with patents that extend across a wide variety of areas given that they design their own software and hardware.
I agree that IBM wouldn't see much profit in opening up the archives just to sue Apple. However, I suspect IBM has seen (and will continue to see) plenty of profit in opening up the archives in order to sell patents to companies more motivated to sue Apple.
Remember, Apple as they sit today is a company with less then 10 years in the market.