Abstract: This paper employs a case study method to compare the different technology strategies in three IC firms that implement independent innovation. Theories about catch-up are applied to analyze some questions that have great significance to the independent innovation of Chinese firms, such as technology option, technology opportunity, and latecomers advantages and disadvantages. Based on the synthetically analysis, this paper concludes that the seletion of the technology strategy has an very important effect on the outcome of independent innovation, and some suggestions are presented.