Does Patent Strategy Shape the Long-Run Supply of Public Knowledge? Evidence from Human Genetics

Knowledge-based firms seeking competitive advantage often draw on the public knowledge stream (ideas embedded in public commons institutions) as the foundation for private knowledge (ideas firms protect through private intellectual property [IP] institutions). However, understanding of the converse...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAcademy of Management journal Vol. 52; no. 6; pp. 1193 - 1221
Main Authors Huang, Kenneth G., Murray, Fiona E.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Briarcliff Manor Academy of Management 01.12.2009
Subjects
Bibliographic citations
Biotechnology
Business innovation
Competitive advantage
Genes
Genetic research
Genetics
Human genetics
Information production
Intellectual property
Intellectual property law
Knowledge
Medical genetics
Ownership and control
Policy making
Public knowledge
Regression analysis
Research and development
Spceial Research Forum: Public Policy and Mangement Research Finding the Common Ground
Strategic management
Studies
Technological innovation
Thickets
United States > US
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Summary:Knowledge-based firms seeking competitive advantage often draw on the public knowledge stream (ideas embedded in public commons institutions) as the foundation for private knowledge (ideas firms protect through private intellectual property [IP] institutions). However, understanding of the converse relationship—the impact of private knowledge strategies on public knowledge production—is limited. We examine this question in human genetics, where policy makers debate expanding IP ownership over the human genome. Our difference-in-differences estimates show that gene patents decrease public genetic knowledge, with broader patent scope, private sector ownership, patent thickets, fragmented patent ownership, and a gene's commercial relevance exacerbating their effect.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-1
content type line 23
ISSN:0001-4273
1948-0989
DOI:10.5465/amj.2009.47084665