On the reality television series “Shark Tank,” venture capitalists like “Mr. Wonderful” are much more eager to invest in companies that have a patent or patent-pending innovation. “Why can’t I just go make this myself?” is a question often asked by the “sharks.” These savvy businesspeople know that Intellectual Property protections are a necessity for any business hoping to make a profit from an original idea or invention. Without it, they risk competition from larger outsiders who may steal their idea in hopes of getting a piece of the pie (or the whole thing).