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ARTICLE · 03 OCTOBER 2015

Playing Innovation Catch-up? You Need Bargaining Chips

McCarthy Tétrault
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With the exponential growth of game-changing technology, it is easy for an incumbent industry player to be caught flat-footed.

CanadaIntellectual Property
Judith McKay
Judith McKay
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With the exponential growth of game-changing technology, it is easy for an incumbent industry player to be caught flat-footed. Suddenly, the business model has evolved dramatically and the incumbent finds themselves playing innovation catch-up. The usual response is to become a 'fast follower'. This seems like a viable strategy until the incumbent finds out that the new innovators have laid a minefield of patents in their way. In some cases, the incumbent may either be completely blocked or be faced with paying an exorbitant royalty to stay in business. How can an incumbent level the playing field?

To win in the high stakes world of rapid technology advancement, you need to have bargaining chips. The good news is that you may have more chips than you realize, such as:

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