As companies enter the 21st century, ...90% of normal transactions will be eliminated, and 99% of the remaining transactions will be completely automated. (AT Kearney, 1998)
Possession of intellectual property rights will become more complicated as closer forms of alliance make it less clear which organisation owns which process and innovation. The same argument also applies to brands. These issues must be thoroughly explored and agreements reached between partnering firms as early as possible, with exit strategies for all participants. One example of an innovative solution could be to vest rights in one partner while unconditionally giving the other royalties.
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