Examines the interplay between intellectual property protection and antitrust rules in the communications industry, with particular focus upon the role of externalities in that interplay. This work discusses the innovation process and how companies leverage their intellectual property rights in order to obtain market leadership. - Съдържа: 1. Introduction -- 2. How the Tension Between Intellectual Property Protection and Anti-trust Laws is Balanced -- 3. External Effects and Balancing Theories -- 4. External Effects Theory Applied -- 5. Fragmentation Problem -- 6. External Effects of Intellectual Property Rights in Technology Adoption -- 7. Conclusions.*