How One Small Business Used Intellectual Property To Create Incredible Success

Business owners, entrepreneurs and CEOs, often want to know how a small businesses can capitalize on intellectual property. They wonder, is IP protection for big firms only? What difference does IP make to them? Sure, it's nice to know that IBM earns billions each year in royalty payments on its IP portfolio, but what about the rest of us?

Here's a small business success story built on IP rights.

The story involves a small group of software developers led by a college drop-out. Like many developers, they were hired to do programming for others on an hourly basis. One day, however, IBM knocked on their door, wanting an operating system for its new line of computers.

The programmers didn't have anything on hand to fit the order, but were aware of another small firm, Seattle Computer Products, with a suitable program called "the Quick and Dirty Operating System." The programmers bought QDOS for $75,000, renamed it DOS, and licensed it to IBM for an advance of several hundred thousand dollars.

The profits didn't stop there, however, because the programmers wisely gave IBM a non-exclusive license, leaving themselves free to license DOS to others.

By 2006 the revenues of this once small software company had grown to $44.3 billion. Quite a return on its early $75,000 investment.

You probably recognize the small business I'm describing. The history of Microsoft, now one of the most successful companies in the world, provides a great lesson for how a small business can use IP rights to create incredible revenue and success. The story also demonstrates the genius of Bill Gates as an entrepreneur. He recognized that retained IP rights would be the company's ticket to success. As he said later:

"Our restricting IBM's ability to compete with us in licensing MS-DOS to other computer makers was the key point of the negotiation. We wanted to make sure only we could license it. . . . We knew that if we were ever going to make a lot of money on DOS it was going to come from the compatible guys, not IBM."

Small businesses can benefit dramatically by turning more of their business assets into valuable IP assets. Unfortunately, many ignore simple, inexpensive steps to secure these rights, leaving others - like Apple, Microsoft, and IBM - to charge ahead. What are you doing with your IP to secure your business success?

Author, speaker and attorney Mark V.B. Partridge is an internationally recognized expert in intellectual property with over 25 years of experience helping major corporations, entrepreneurs and creative individuals protect their IP rights. As a professional speaker, he offers seminars, workshops and keynotes to help business leaders use IP to turn intellectual capital into incredible value. His book, "Guiding Rights: Trademarks, Copyright and the Internet" is available at Amazon.com and other online bookstores. For more information, visit http://www.GuidingRights.com

Cialis And Erectile Dysfunction: Take Back Your Erections With Cialis

Theres always something the other guy has that you might want: a cool car, a great boss, an incredible job title, or a high-tech gadget. But no matter who you are, theres one thing every guy has to deal with sometimes: the rare occasion where he cant have or sustain an erection. In fact people with high stress jobs or on-the-go lifestyles can be more susceptible to the exhaustion, flu-and-cold symptoms, or stress that can make it difficult to have sex.

For some men, though, erectile dysfunction (or ED) becomes a recurring problem. Diabetes, high blood pressure, or clogged arteries can reduce blood flow to the penis. ED can also be caused by physical blockages (like prostate enlargement), hormonal imbalance, or medications (like antidepressants). For about 20% of men with ED, psychological issues may be contributing to the problem.

Its important to realize that many of these causes have nothing to do with age. If you are experiencing problems with ED, it doesnt mean youre getting old its just a sign to make some minor changes.

Take Charge

For many of the causes of ED, managing the underlying illness or problem will be enough to improve sexual function. In some cases, however, Cialis can help with sexual activity.

Cialis works on both the muscles and the blood vessels of the penis. It encourages the blood vessels to open up so that more blood can enter the penis. Once the blood is there, the spongy muscles that make up the bulk of the penis relax so the blood vessels have room to expand, creating an erection.

Cialis will never be in control: You will.

Some men are concerned that they wont be able to control when an erection occurs... just like junior high. But Ciallis only works in conjunction with sexual stimulation. Cialis is ready exactly when you are.

More importantly though, you dont have to interrupt a relaxing moment over dinner to take a pill just in case. Cialis has been shown to work for up to 36 hours (yep, no stress.) so you can take it in the morning and not have to worry about it when youve got more important things going on!

Talk with your doctor to see if Cialis is right for you.

There are very few side effects associated with Cialis, but knowing about them can help prepare you. Rarely, men do experience muscle aches, especially in the back, after they take the pill. They should go away on their own, but if the aches hang around for more than 24 hours, give your doctor a call.

Some drugs that affect your heart and blood pressure can have serious interactions with Cialis, particularly nitrate drugs (for chest pain) and many (though not all) alpha blockers (for high blood pressure). Other drugs can also interact with Cialis, so take a list of all the drugs youre taking with you talk with your doctor about Cialis.

Youre ready to go!

Once you and your doctor have discussed Cialis and determined that its right for you, grab that prescription and head to the pharmacy! If you prefer discretion, you can fill the prescription at a reputable on-line pharmacy. Thats the end of your ED worries and the start to real sex, without the stress!

Copyright (C) Shoppe.MD and Ian Mason, 2004-2005

Ian Mason, owner of Shoppe.MD, your source for Cialis, drug information and support forums.

Ian is a fat-to-fit student of health, weight loss, exercise, and several martial arts; maintaining several websites in an effort to help provide up-to-date and helpful information for other who share his interests in health of body and mind.

Reduce Heart Disease, Strokes, and Cancer by Drinking Oolong Tea

There is a Chinese proverb - A daily cup of tea or more, keeps you out of the pharmacy. As you will shortly see, there is a lot of truth in this proverb. So, what is oolong tea? It is related to green tea and black tea -- they are all produced from the same plant. Green tea is made from the dried leaves, whereas black tea is made by fermentation of the leaves. Oolong tea is made by partly fermenting the leaves prior to drying.

Triglycerides and cholesterol are two important fatty substances in the bloodstream. These are essential for many things in your body but cholesterol also builds up on the wall of the arteries, causing them to narrow and restrict blood flow. This can lead to several problems including coronary thrombosis (a heart attack) and strokes, so high cholesterol levels are not a good thing. Studies in several countries have found many kinds of tea have some effect in reducing cholesterol in blood fats, though oolong seems to get the best results. It is thought that the polyphenols in tea inhibit the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract, thus decreasing the cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. There is also evidence that they may decrease the blood's tendency to form thrombi, or unwanted blood clots.

Obesity is an increasing problem these days, it is well documented that overweight people are more likely to suffer heart problems. In the hustle-bustle of modern living, it is easy to resort to a junk diet. This is bad news for your body because it hangs on to the extra fat and lacks many of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are vital for your well-being. The Chinese claim that tea can actually help reduce the amount of fat in the tissues. Oolong tea seems to get the most publicity here, although any tea probably has some benefits. Chinese sources cite numerous cases of people who have lost weight while regularly drinking two or three cups of oolong a day. Oolong mixed with other herbal ingredients is the basis for a number of teas marketed especially for slimming. A Chinese ad for Slimming Tea claims that drinking it for three months can help you drop up to 15 pounds off your weight. I am not convinced that tea alone can achieve this but it seems that it can contribute as tactic in your weight-loss strategy.

Much research is being carried out on the role of tea drinking in preventing cancer. For example, out of 25 papers related to health presented at the Hangzhou Symposium, almost one third reported on cancer research. Research has found that oolong has some effect against cancer because it inhibits the formation or action of cancer-causing substances. It seems to be the epigallo catechin gallate (EGCC) that reduces the occurrence of uncontrolled DNA replication. Vitamin E is regarded as an excellent antioxidant; EGCC is supposedly 200 times more effective for neutralizing free radicals in the body. Another way oolong tea may help fight cancer is through preventing cell mutation. The antioxidant properties of the polyphenols in oolong tea may inhibit mutation of the DNA in healthy cells, which can cause them to become cancer cells.

Cured meats often contain nitrates which can be converted to nitrosamines in the digestive process. Nitrosamines are known to be carcinogenic. Tea may block the action of nitrosamines which can cause cancer, said Dr. Han Chi, an associate professor at the Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene under the Chinese Academy of Preventative Medicine. In a test of 145 types of tea, she and her colleagues rated green tea highest, with a blocking rate of 90 percent. Oolong and black tea followed in that order as the fermentation process destroys the EGCC. The partial fermentation of the leaves during the production of oolong tea reduces the EGCC level by approximately fifteen percent.

Long ago in China, tea was an ingredient in immortality potions favored by the Taoists. Still today, perhaps as an echo of those beliefs, claims are made that tea drinking helps one to live to a ripe old age. While it is no magic fountain of youth, some of its benefits can be said to contribute to longevity (stimulation of bodily functions, strengthening the immune system, reducing the chance of heart disease and improving stomach functions). The fluoride in tea can strengthen bones and help ward off osteoporosis in the same way that it strengthens dental enamel.

When pregnant or nursing only small amounts of oolong tea should be used, it can also interfere with MAO inhibitors and blood thinning medication. Also the consumption of oolong tea may interfere with the absorption of medicines. This article is intended to be for information about the nutritional benefits of oolong tea only and should not be regarded as medical advice in its own right. You should seek the assistance of a qualified physician if you require medical advice on any condition mentioned in this article.

Kevin Woodward looks after the In Nature web site at In Nature Green and Oolong Teas which offers top quality Chinese teas (and herbs) for sale securely online.

As The Sunlight Flickers In

I woke up this morning to rays of sunlight flickering in through the windows. The rays were welcoming to my sleepy self. I enjoyed this sight so immensely, I laid in bed a little while longer, enjoying the serene moment. The rays crept in through the window panes, creating shadows on the wall, which danced lazily as if tempting me to lay in bed a little while longer. I gave into this temptation which was so adamantly unfolding before me within my bedroom.

I laid my disheveled head back onto my pillows, still staring at the shadows. I am pleased with this moment, for I am not one to lie in bed, but this content feeling was overwhelming, I enjoyed viewing the shadows dance upon the bedroom walls, the inviting rays of sun informing me another new day has dawned.

Why have I not had a moment such as this before? This is an occurrence which happens most mornings, but yet this morning I am enthralled by the serenity which has been cast within the confines of my bedroom. I was drawn in memory to other serene moments in my life. Memories such as walking through the grass which surrounded my childhood home in barefeet, the soft grass between my toes. Wading in the creek, enjoying every lap of water that played around my legs. The sweet fragrant smell of my father's rose bushes, still to this day, I have smelled no aroma more fine than this.

Oh, how I long to lay here in this bed, with my memories, my serenity, my content feeling. I must however begin my day. I will leave you shadows and rays of sunlight, I hope to see you again soon, for to begin my day with this feeling you have graciously given to me, is truly a gift from God.