I’m sure there have been books or well researched blog posts you could dig up but here’s my best take:

Look at the influence and trajectory of Microsoft before and after the lawsuit. The executive team was distracted for a year. The employees were demoralized by bad press coverage. Competitors were emboldened. And for internet and mobile, Microsoft got put on the back foot before the 21st century even began.

Facebook management and board is full of people who observed and lived that experience. There is a case study of corporate distraction and they have read it.