Patent systems for encouraging innovation: Lessons from economic analysis

• Published in: Research policy Vol. 35; no. 9; pp. 1423 - 1440
• Main Authors: Encaoua, David, Guellec, Dominique, Martínez, Catalina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.11.2006; Elsevier; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Series: Research Policy
• Subjects: Economic analysis; Economic theory; Economics; Economics and Finance; Humanities and Social Sciences; Incentive mechanism; Innovation diffusion; Innovations; Inventions; Inventors; License fee; Patent subject matter; Patentability requirements; Policy making; Research and development; Research policy; Sequential innovations; Studies; Technology policy; 034; Incentive mechanism; Patent subject matter; Sequential innovations; Patentability requirements; License fee; 031; innovation séquentielle; redevance de licence; license fee; incentive mechanism; critères; mécanisme d'incitation; domaines brevetables; patentability requirements; sequential innovation

Economic theory views patents as policy instruments aimed at fostering innovation and diffusion. Three major implications are drawn regarding current policy debates. First, patents may not be the most effective means of protection for inventors to recover R&D investments when imitation is costly...