On the one side are doctors such as Vad who do everything they can to avoid opioid painkillers such as Percocet and OxyContin.

CNN: Facing chronic pain without drugs

Similarly, corporate behemoths such as Starbucks have patented everything from the paper sleeves that surround their cups to the shape and composition of their chocolates.

WSJ: From Patents to Memberships, Coffee Shops Offer New Perks

Once seen as badly trailing its competitors in areas such as directional drilling and drilling fluids, Halliburton now has everything it needs to win contracts for projects such as designing, building and operating systems to manage production from oilfields.

FORBES: Mr. Outside saves the day