I have stayed out of this, but here is 2 cents worth.
I have designed chips for the FQ's and the Fiesta. I have no problem saying which ones. 90% of the FQ's chips pre Oct 1996 and 90% of Fiesta chips since Oct 96 were either my "design" or "idea."
Example: FQ's Texas Set. Idea came from marketing. I did the library research and found pictures that the art work was made from. The chip art work was actually different from the pictures that were submitted. Not my idea, not my design.

Design: meaning, I actually drew art work and submitted it to the distributor.
Idea: meaning I told the distributor my idea and they came up with art work from my words.

I think the difference in the meaning of design and idea, is the rub in this thread. I also, don't think it matters. Fiesta Millennium chips coming in Dec were NOT my idea but I drew the art work and submitted it to Chipco. Does anyone really care?

I am not interested in furthering this thread or taking sides in it. I don't think it matters who did what. The chips happened!