Bootlegging in corporate research and development is defined as "a non-formalised and non-declared (secret) bottom-up innovation process for the benefit of the bootlegger's firm.
[4] The main reason for the occurrence of bootlegging in corporations is the perceived lack of 'free space' for creativity in an employee's role.
A well-known example of a permitted bootleg product is the yellow sticky Post-it note developed by Arthur Fry and Spencer Silver at 3M.
Another famous example is Google, where employees are allowed to spend up to 20% of their work time in personal projects related to the company's business.
[5] When permitted bootlegging is open to member of an organization, regardless of function or seniority, it is called Grassroots innovation.