B2B Developments
Corporate Secrets up for Grabs?

Under pressure to fatten revenues, old economy and new alike are offering everything from cherished research-and development secrets, to in-house information technology systems for sale on new online intellectual property exchanges. Buyers on these exchanges are other big companies looking to slash research and development costs by buying others' research. NewIdeaTrade.com, and 200Ideas.com are just some of the new B2B marketplaces for intellectual property exchange. Proctor & Gamble and General Electric have made good use of these exchanges, baring all potential buyers. Coca-Cola and DaimlerChrysler are among the corporate members, pleased with the idea that individual consumers and others can submit ideas and technologies to product development officials from Fortune500 companies.