But even if that's what really happened, we don't know for sure if HG was concerned about legal repercussions, or if they just didn't want to use DYRL designs in Robotech for stylistic reasons (and to keep the continuity hounds off their backs).
Why would they go thru all the trouble of pulling someone's license for stylistic reasons? Something like that would only require a slap on the wrist.
There was an instance last year when there was a poster made for the new Robotech comic books. The picture showed the Black Skull insigna on a VF-1 Fast Pack. It had Minmei sitting in the cockpit with Rick Hunter. It may even had the Strike Cannon on it (that I'm not sure off...) and there was a big hoopla on the old boards about it. later on the poster was released with a missle pod and the kite insigna in the place of the DYRL objects.
So was the decision made because of continuity's sake or licensing mistake? It would seem funny that if it was for continuity's sake, then why would they release it and wait for Macrossworld to spot it for them? Also if they would take away the license from Antartic for the same reasons then why did they let WildStorm keep the contract this time around?