The IP value chain starts with the inventor's original idea and has value added by a series of steps that ultimately yields a legally protected asset (e.g., a patent or a trade secret).

Goldberg, Ray A., and Kerry Herman. "Nestle's Milk District Model: Economic Development for a Value-Added Food Chain and Improved Nutrition." Harvard Business School Case 906-406, November 2005.

said a number of local companies are stuck in low-value-added segments of the global value chain because of the domination of global firms. “While business groups could foster innovation and ...