Risky Solos

In case this isn't obvious, it's usually more difficult and risky for a client to replace an IP if the IP has no competitors already working for that client. That's because the client would have to search for a new IP in that field from scratch, perhaps even in the middle of a project under tight deadlines, and this could jeopardize the project. Working with an unknown quantity is always risky.

For that reason, a client should have multiple vendors (who might or might not be IPs) on tap in any field that's critical to them.