In addition to what /u/TehFuriousOne has described (“cheaper and faster to buy an IP”), a contract will also sometimes include specific people be part of that acquisition. This is sometimes referred to as an “acqui-hire.” You’re hiring the talent because you think they might be able to improve your product or produce for you something similar to what they have done in the past.
You might not be buying their existing intellectual property, but instead acquiring their talent for future projects.
As also mentioned by /u/Lo__Lox – this often creates a windfall of cash “now” for higher-ups in the company getting bought out. Sometimes they may be required to remain onboard for a while after the buy-out, but guaranteed money up front from a buy-out is typically more desirable than hoping your product has staying power in the market or that your next project is as successful as your previous one. If you stay on board, and your next project is a flop, you can dry your tears with wonderful buy-out money! 😉
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