Intellectual Property Modularity in Software Products and Software Platform Ecosystems

Book excerpt: This book examines the impact of Intellectual Property (IP) modular architecture on software products and software platform ecosystems. The presented results are based on a detailed qualitative case study analysis of two software products and two software platforms and on a quantitative study of two software ecosystems. The results extend the existing literature on IP modularity by demonstrating a direct association between IP modular product or platform architecture and the related business models. The analysis also shows that the early consideration of IP-related requirements in the requirements engineering process of software systems can prevent costly and time-consuming re-modularizations. The quantitative analysis in two software ecosystems shows that IP modular platform architecture, which can allow increased openness while still maintaining value appropriation, can increase a platform’s attractiveness for complementors. To summarize, this book demonstrates the connections between IP management, software architecture and the respective business models of software product or platform providers.