1 Explain what happened to the Gore-Tex brand after the patent expired. What activity can firms use to try to maintain any advantage developed during the patent protection phase?
2 List some of the wide range of products where the Gore-Tex fabric has been applied.
3 It seems that Gore Associates is heavily oriented towards technology; what are some of the dangers of being too heavily focused on technology?
4 Cooperatives and share-ownership schemes provide many attractions and benefits, but there are also limitations; discuss these.
5 What has been the Gore strategy to achieving success in its markets? How is this strategy now being challenged?