A game theoretic advantage, “we will only invest in our end product x which uses your y if you agree not supporting competitors for a period of time “ in which

A game theoretic advantage, “we will only invest in our end product x which uses your y if you agree not supporting competitors for a period of time “ in which x is beneficial to the end user but not worth the cost/risk with competition. This is the same idea with patents; I’ll sink costs to deeper R&D in exchange for safer prospects of profiting from it.