I think the situation is simple enough we can talk directly about how it is, rather than how it might seem.

The question itself does not imply any kind of net award, and the resolution criteria do not mention any kind of net reward. Further, the resolution criteria are worded in such a way that implies the question should not be resolved to a net award. So, if you are to make an argument in favour of a net award it would make sense to address why you are going against the resolution criteria and in doing so resolving to something other than the answer to the question asked.

Here are the resolution criteria, edited for improved readability:

This question will resolve to the total dollar amount awarded to Depp as a result of the ongoing jury trial.
In the event that no money is awarded or the jury does not find Heard responsible or the trial ends without a verdict this question will resolve to $0 USD.
In the event that this trial results in a monetary award for Amber Heard, including legal fees or other penalties imposed by a court, this question will resolve in the negative to the dollar amount awarded

Clause 3, which you quoted, is intended to come into effect only if clause 1 has not already come into effect (this is clear not just because it is the structure of the criteria, but also because otherwise we would reach a contradiction of resolving to both X and not-X). So, clause 3 is not meant to be and cannot be applied to the situation at hand.

Clause 3, even if it did apply to the situation at hand, makes no mention of a net award.

Clause 1, on the other hand, can be applied - following clause 1, the question would be resolved to the total dollar amount awarded to Depp (total, not less any anount), which would be appropriate because it precisley answers the actual question asked: "How much money will be awarded to Johnny Depp in his defamation suit against his ex-wife Amber Heard?".

Now, you might nonetheless think that it is more reasonable to resolve to a net amount, despite that not being an answer to the question asked, and it being a resolution not supported by the resolution criteria, but if so it would be logical to make an argument for it not based on the resolution criteria, which do not support it. And it would make sense to address the fact that you are going against the resolution criteria and in doing so unneccesarily resolving to something other than the answer to the question asked.

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