Others agreed that imitation was a valid and useful business strategy. Companies such as
Southwest Airlines and Apple, Inc. had built off existing ideas or technology, as one individual
observed.9 One academic noted that such prominent companies as I.B.M. and Texas Instruments
were at one point imitators, and that: “In fact, imitation is endemic. Innovation is scarce.”10 Another
academic highlighted the positive elements of imitation: “Imitation is a critical capability for any
strategically agile firm. In a global age where innovations can and do sprout anywhere, it is
unrealistic for any firm to innovate anywhere, anytime. To stay in the game and not fall behind, firms
must imitate….”11 (See the Appendix for information on business method patents.)