Today's intellectual property environment is a vibrant mix of crowded, potentially aggressive competitive spaces and areas of opportunity for developing radically different kinds of commercial relationships. The components of this mix give rise to unexpected challenges, unlike those previously faced by even the established players in the intellectual property game. A new compass is required to address the challenges of building Virtual Monopoly.

5. Establishing space amidst the crowd.

Patent and trade mark filings have gone through the roof right across the globe, and are now at higher levels than at any point in history. Developing products in this sort of environment can present a stimulating business challenge: The challenge of establishing space to operate amidst the crowd!...

6. Fighting for space.

...Certain companies are 'tooling up' as a blanket strategy to deal with the emerging complexity. There is a newly pervasive scent of aggression in the air...

7. Relationships and intellectual property.

Intellectual property has become a key currency of commercial relationships based on creative advantage. It is there as a desired objective but also as a risk factor, a complication and a potential flash point...

8. Public unease.

This emerging challenge requires thought and considered action now before it becomes a major threat. For a growing number of people the role that intellectual property plays in the economy has become a matter for serious concern. These people will have read much of this book with an increasing sense of unease, possibly even disgust...