A defined specification is very different from an idea. RSA is a perfect example. I would say the "idea" here is public key cryptography. It was total genius when it was invented, and 99.999% of the world didn't care a lick.
Once it was implemented in several crypto systems, including RSA, and people started using it, the value became clear.
Was the publication sold to anyone? Why did Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir and Leonard Adleman decide to create a company using the concept rather than just sell the publication itself?
Once it was implemented in several crypto systems, including RSA, and people started using it, the value became clear.