def strip_parentheses(string):
    """
    Remove parentheses from a string, leaving
    parentheses between <tags> in place

    Args:
        string: the string to remove parentheses from

    Returns:
        the processed string after removal of parentheses
    """
    nested_parentheses = nesting_level = 0
    result = ''
    for c in string:
        # When outside of parentheses within <tags>
        if nested_parentheses < 1:
            if c == '<':
                nesting_level += 1
            if c == '>':
                nesting_level -= 1

        # When outside of <tags>
        if nesting_level < 1:
            if c == '(':
                nested_parentheses += 1
            if nested_parentheses < 1:
                result += c
            if c == ')':
                nested_parentheses -= 1

        # When inside of <tags>
        else:
            result += c

    return result