If I were writing a personal ad for someone buying IP, it might look something like this:
Wanted: Long-term relationship with stable and reliable IP. Must provide loving support and be free of bugs or other vermin. Preference given to those with a history of successful relationships and willing to live within small budgets. No flakes.
Available singles have a high expectation for that "special certain someone". We want it all--good looks, wealthy, stable, flexible, and respected among peers. We also want someone to dote on us hand and foot and lavish gifts upon us. Thank goodness for goals, too bad reality involves compromises.
IP buyers are a lot like available singles on the hunt for that perfect mate. They want IP from a company that represents someone they can take back to their management as a respectable sort of family to do business with. They want IP that has the precise set of features they need (no more, no less) that they can afford. They want a core that they can drop into their design easily but also want to know there's someone standing by to help them in case they get into trouble.
By and large, the IP supplier community continues to improve its attractiveness and attentiveness to the buying community. But compromise and looking past the superficial aspects are key. Obsession with perfection can lead to neurotic behavior such as fan's of Seinfeld might recognize (having "man hands", eating peas one at a time, inadequate use of exclamation points, etc.) Bringing together two parties in a healthy relationship is hard work requiring each side to identify the key characteristic that makes or breaks the relationship and to look past those annoying foibles and work together on each other's inherent inadequacies.
So my advice to the IP lovelorn is to get to know your IP supplier, know who's behind the IP and whether they are truly committed to the relationship or are just after your money.
Next week: When is the right time to start dating?
