Journal article
The effect of patents on trade
A Palangkaraya, PH Jensen, E Webster
Journal of International Economics | ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV | Published : 2017
Abstract
In contrast with quotas and tariffs, it is theoretically ambiguous whether fewer (or ‘weaker’) rules over intellectual property rights will increase or decrease trade in patentable goods. The prevailing view is that anticipation of imitation reduces exporters' incentive to export goods to jurisdictions with ‘weak’ patent regimes. This empirical paper uses new measures of how the destination-country patent system can affect trade. In contrast with existing studies which assume would-be exporters can always get a patent in the target foreign market, we construct measures of the bias against foreign patent applicants and patents which may block imported goods. We find evidence that the presence..
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Grants
Awarded by University of California Berkeley
Funding Acknowledgements
Author order is randomised. This work was financed by the Australian Research Council [ARC Linkage Grant LP110100266 "The Efficiency of the Global Patent System"] with partners IP Australia and the Institute of Patent and Trademark Attorneys. We wish to thank two anonymous referees, Chris Dent, Keith Maskus, Russell Thomson, Gaetan de Rassenfosse, Denis Yao, Brian Wright, Giancarlo Moschini, Ben Jones, Michael Powell, Shireen AlAzzawi, Thibault Fally, Elisabeth Miller, Philipp Bbing, Manuel Tratjenberg, Francesco Lissoni, Joachim Henkel and seminar participants at UC Berkeley, University of Santa Clara, German Graduate School of Management and Law, Bordeaux University, and Kellogg School of Management Northwestern University for comments. And special thanks to T'Mir Julius for preparing the data on blocking patent citations.