Virtual Monopoly: Building an Intellectual Property Strategy for Creative Advantage - from Patents to Trademarks, from Copyrights to Design Rights [Paperback]

"Virtual Monopoly has been awarded close to perfect marks. It is terrific. As business books go, it's the life of the party - smart, sensible and full of interesting stories. Highly recommended. ...valuable reading for anyone."

"Both inspirational and a 'how-to' manual, with vivid case examples on every page, this is an essential reference work. Pike is a patent agent and attorney who knows his stuff and writes accessibly and entertainingly."

"Rare indeed to find a book that deals with the complex subject of intellectual property in both a highly readable and informative way. Chris Pike has managed it with Virtual Monopoly. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to anyone wishing to understand the IP issues pertaining to their business..."

"An inspirational book for anyone who wants to make creativity count in business."

Intellectual property is hot news. Witness the almost daily reports of "patent madness" and "brand bullies" on one hand and "napsterization" and the "death of copyright" on the other. Then there is the patenting of the human genome; one-click Amazon business method patents; drug patienting in South Africa; cybersquatting and digital piracy. Companies are more aware than ever of the importance of intellectual property to its business. However, the media reports provide only a snapshot of a much bigger picture and this book offers insights into the major shifts taking place behind the headlines, developments that allow companies of any size to leverage their creative advantage to build strategic advantage. The book sets out to offer a radical vision of new economics at play - that of virtual monopoly in which creative vision is the starting point and intellectual property the enabling currency. It also calls for a balanced approach and careful, responsible stewardship of virtual monopoly, power since this is about creative advantage not corporate muscle.

Creative vision is the starting point but intellectual property is the currency. This book shows businesses large and small how to ‘dumb up’ to achieve creative advantage.

Dr Christopher Pike is a Chartered Patent Agent and European Patent Attorney and has worked with companies such as Procter & Gamble, Xerox and GlaxoWellcome. He is also the founder of Pike and Co a consultancy practice that applies a creative, commercial mindset to the provision of Intellectual Property services.