Intellectual property licensing has numerous roots in various media including the printed word, music, art, machinery, and sports figures (and for that matter, where would be the Nike Swoosh today without IP licensing?). The EDA industry can learn from the successes of modern IP licensing in the software, firmware, hardware, and semiconductor industries. The question is -– what IP business models will ensure the success of both the vendor and the customer?

Companies like AT&T, TI, and Microsoft have built successful businesses based on a combination of assessing value for developed and acquired intellectual property and licensing it to other companies which enhance their market valuation and give them opportunities to sell their own value added products. Each of those companies spent many years in developing business that benefit both customers and vendors.