That is the STANDARD wisdom, HOWEVER, I can site many situations - even one from within my own industry, in which an invention/new process/innovation/re-invention of the wheel by an individual or very, very small company who was smart enough to APPLY for patents EVEN BEFORE THEY perfected their technology, was seen, given recognition, initially offered partnership by a MAJOR industry leader but quickly evolved into an outright purchase of all tehnological properties and process and rights to sell the technology/process to others. But included continued PAID support and development TO the inventor to the tune of MILLIONS and MILLIONS of dollars; as well as given a percentage of FUTURE business RESULTING from his invention; while at the same time the original inventor kept ALL patent rights, but was made to sign an extensive non-compete agreement. Why did this HUGE conglomorate spend so much money EVEN BEFORE the FIRST product WAS manufactured using this innovative and industry CHANGING process? BECAUSE this HUGE company UNDERSTOOD that WITH this innovative process they could build/manufacture their products better offering longer and more comprehensive warranties; they could manufacture their products MUCH faster - even as much as 4 times faster than ANY competitor; they could more precisely control the raw materials used; it took MUCH LESS manpower; it was MUCH MORE immune to HUMAN ERROR. YEARS later NO one could even come close to manufacturing such an error free, structurally sound, QUICKLY produced product. Even AFTER this HUGE conglomerate was forced to file Chapter 11 (due to no fault of their own), this process was considered by the COURT as a MAJOR asset of said company and was put up for auction (according to the original terms) just as other vital parts/assets of the business were. The principles of the bankrupt company, showing much wisdom, REPURCHASED the process, tooling, and molds used in this "innovative process" because THEY knew that IF AND WHEN they EVER began such business again, that THIS process was THE connerstone and FOUNDATION of market domination. Even though their business was in only one sector of the economy, it WAS and IS applicable to MANY sectors within the world wide economy that utilize the SAME "newer and space age" materials - which are nowadays used in everything from prostetics to space shuttles. Whether the "survivors and principles" of this huge comglomerates can branch out and profit from this "innovative technology in these almost unlimited "other sectors" of the economy remains to be seen....but in the end the original inventor was and IS the entity that will profit the most....even though he NEVER made ONE DOLLAR FROM THE RETAIL ASPECT OF HIS INVENTION as a result of "selling" his idea/process/technology/PROTOTYPE to a VERY SMART, VERY WISE industry leader - because this conglomorate UNDERSTOOD that WITH this invention, they COULD almost PERFECTLY control their costs, control quality, PERFECTLY streamline and hasten manufacturing, and thereby DOMINATE their industry...which they did. They understood the VALUE of this process from very early on - before most of their other competitors knew much if anything about it - not that most were not made AWARE of the development, but because MOST companies "can't see the forest for the trees" and they didn't understand the vast magnitude and the overall VALUE of such an aquistion. This VERY WISE company who DID understand it, did WHATEVER it took to "lock it up" and make SURE that NO ONE else HAD THE RIGHTS to it. It's NOT WHAT you make, it's HOW you can perfect the entire process that makes you successful.
