Discuss the role of the patent system in this case.

From its humble beginnings in 1946 as a small enterprise of some 20 staff members repairing phonographs, a brave decision to obtain a patent license changed the fate of this enterprise. In 1952, the founder of the enterprise came across patent information on an invention of the Bell Laboratories: the transistor. He approached Western Electric (WE) of the United States of America, the patent holder, and obtained a patent license. At that time, the transistor was only used in hearing aids, and WE did not see any chance for greater commercial success in the application of the transistor technology. Wondering if such a small firm was capable of developing any useful device from the transistor, WE shared with engineers of the enterprise useful technical information about the transistor, as agreed in the patent license agreement. In 1955, the small enterprise produced its first transistor radio and marketed the new product, which was a huge success. The successful commercialization of a transistor radio enabled this small enterprise (subsequently renamed as Sony Corporation) to enter the global market of electronics.