Spin-off

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A spin-off (or spinoff) is a new organization or entity formed by a split from a larger one, such as a television series based on a pre-existing one, or as a new company formed from a university research group or business incubator. In literature, especially in milieu based popular fictional book series like mysteries, westerns, fantasy, or science fiction the term sub-series is generally used instead of spin-off, but with essentially the same meaning.

Spin-offs as a descriptive term can also include a dissenting faction of a membership organization, a sect of a cult, a denomination of a church. In business, a spin-off is essentially the opposite of a merger. In computing, a spin-off from a software project is often called a fork.

A spinoff-product, is a product deriving elements of design , branding or function from an existing product, but which is itself a new distinct product.

Contents

[edit] Corporate spinoff

Main article: Spin out

The common definition of 'spin out' is when a division of a company or organization becomes an independent business.

[edit] Government spinoff

Civilian goods which are the result of military or governmental research are also known as spinoffs.

[edit] Media spinoff

Main article: Spin-off (media)

Media spin off is the process of deriving new radio, video game, movie series, book series or television programs from existing ones.

[edit] Research spinoff

A research spinoff is a new company based on the findings of a member or by members of a research group at a university.

The term is also used for concepts or products spun off a research project, for example methods or materials pioneered during the Manhattan Project (spin-off: Commercial Nuclear Power) or during the Space Race (spin-offs: Many, Integrated Circuits and hence most modern electronics, freeze-dried foods, satellites, et-cetera, and et al.).

[edit] See also

Look up spin-off, offshoot in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.