OVERVIEW

It is challenging to decipher the difference between the point where innovation starts, and ultimately produces a new product or service, and the point where a new product or service results in innovation. In other words, some innovations are linear. They begin at the intake stage as research and development and often result in a patent or trade secret, which is further refined and developed into a marketable product. Other innovations occur spontaneously, during the compress and combust phases, and create an idea or product. These innovations occur at the correct price, quality, and delivery point, capturing a segment of the market previously unattainable. Other innovations are a hybrid of linear and spontaneous elements. Without protecting either type of innovation, a competitor can easily steal the edge in the marketplace that belongs to your organization.

Mr. Head's success story as related in the previous chapter involves linear, spontaneous, and hybrid innovations. He used the protection of the patent system as well as other methods and strategies to make his business grow while protecting his products and ideas. Since the subject of intellectual property is too broad to cover completely in one chapter, this chapter focuses on the strategic nature of intellectual property and how it relates to the Innovation Lifecycle.

In the engine model, intellectual property can typically be considered the fuel, and in some...