Book excerpt: In the information age, intellectual property rights such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks are among companies' most valuable assets. Today, managers and investors in a wide variety of industries need to understand the fundamentals of intellectual property rights in order to make informed decisions about the companies they run and the investments they hold. From Ideas to Assets provides a detailed overview of what intellectual property assets are and how they work - and what you need to know about them to succeed today's competitive business environment. It offers techniques for valuing intellectual property and discusses ways to help you maximize returns and discern performance variables. The 25 expert contributors to this volume approach the subject from the varied perspectives of shareholders, managers, analysts, accountants, advisors, and other professionals. Original tables, graphs, and statistics related to intellectual property returns and performance indices are included to clarify important legal and accounting concepts. This easy-to-read guide covers strategies for businesses in various industries, including the financial and manufacturing sectors. This is not a textbook or a stock-picking manual. From Ideas to Assets is a focused resource that provides diverse audiences with valuable guidance on the IP basics they need to know.