Matutes, C and Régibeau, P and Rockett, K (1996) Optimal Patent Design and the Diffusion of Innovations. RAND Journal of Economics, 27 (1). pp. 60-83. DOI https://doi.org/10.2307/2555792
Matutes, C and Régibeau, P and Rockett, K (1996) Optimal Patent Design and the Diffusion of Innovations. RAND Journal of Economics, 27 (1). pp. 60-83. DOI https://doi.org/10.2307/2555792
Matutes, C and Régibeau, P and Rockett, K (1996) Optimal Patent Design and the Diffusion of Innovations. RAND Journal of Economics, 27 (1). pp. 60-83. DOI https://doi.org/10.2307/2555792
Abstract
Innovators who have made significant breakthroughs may be tempted to get a head start in developing the applications of a new discovery before commercializing any new product. We consider how this socially undesirable waiting period and the pattern of development of subsequent innovations are affected by two patent protection regimes which we call 'length' and 'scope' protection. Our main finding is that the scope of the patent, and not its length, is the dimension that should be used to induce early disclosure of fundamental innovations while still preserving firms' incentive to do R&D. Furthermore, the optimal protection increases with rivalry in the markets for applications.
Item Type: | Article |
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Subjects: | H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory |
Divisions: | Faculty of Social Sciences Faculty of Social Sciences > Economics, Department of |
SWORD Depositor: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Depositing User: | Unnamed user with email elements@essex.ac.uk |
Date Deposited: | 12 Jul 2012 11:35 |
Last Modified: | 29 Oct 2024 08:12 |
URI: | http://repository.essex.ac.uk/id/eprint/2847 |