Medici and Athena are companies that manufacture medical equipment. The two companies have partnered for a unique project to create a specialized X-ray machine with the latest and the most expensive technology available. Medici and Athena will share their knowledge and resources as well as ownership and risk in the investment. However, each company will retain its own business identity. Which of the following business forms have Medici and Athena adopted for the project?

a. A merger
b. A joint venture
c. Piggybacking
d. A licensing agreement