I don't think it is right to be too tough on Rick.
If he made no new contribution to the state of the art, his patent cannot be enforced. The fact that he was successful in enforcing it, even in an out of court settlement, says that he probably did make such a contribution. If he hadn't, the attorneys would be pounding his claim out of existence with "prior art" or "obvious to anyone skilled in the art".
If he did make a contribution, however slight, he's entitled to the proceeds of his contribution.
It's fairly easy to get a patent, but they aren't worth much until you have successful enforcement.
