The last two decades have witnessed a dramatic increase in the use of patent citation data in social science research. Facilitated by digitization of the patent data and increasing computing power, a community of practice has grown up that has developed methods for using these data to: measure attributes of innovations such as impact and originality; to trace flows of knowledge across individuals, institutions and regions; and to map innovation networks. The objective of this paper is threefold. First, it takes stock of these main uses. Second, it discusses four pitfalls associated with patent citation data, related to office, time and technology, examiner, and strategic effects. Third, it highlights gaps in our understanding and offers directions for future research.

Patent Citation Data in Social Science Research: Overview and Best Practices

The last 2 decades have witnessed a dramatic increase in the use of patent citation data in social science research. Facilitated by digitization of the patent data and increasing computing power, a community of practice has grown up that has developed methods for using these data to: measure attributes of innovations such as impact and originality; to trace flows of knowledge across individuals, institutions and regions; and to map innovation networks. The objective of this article is threefold. First, it takes stock of these main uses. Second, it discusses 4 pitfalls associated with patent citation data, related to office, time and technology, examiner, and strategic effects. Third, it highlights gaps in our understanding and offers directions for future research.

/pdf/patent-citation-data-in-social-science-research-overview-and-2yiwv9st48.pdf

Patent citation data in social science research: Overview and best practices

This paper reviews the economic literature on the role of fees in patent systems. Two main research questions are usually addressed: the impact of patent fees on the behavior of applicants and the question of optimal fees. Studies in the former group confirm that a range of fees affect the behavior of applicants and suggest that a patent is an inelastic good. Studies in the latter group provide grounds for both low and high application (or pre‐grant) fees and renewal (or post‐grant) fees, depending on the structural context and policy objectives. The paper also presents new stylized facts on patent fees of 30 patent offices worldwide. It is shown that application fees are generally lower than renewal fees, and renewal fees increase more than proportionally with patent age.

/pdf/the-role-of-fees-in-patent-systems-theory-and-evidence-1cxzj8ebzu.pdf

The Role of Fees in Patent Systems: Theory and Evidence

Assessment of techno-entrepreneurship projects by using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)

This paper reviews the economic literature on the role of fees in patent systems. Two main research questions are usually addressed: the impact of patent fees on the behavior of applicants and the question of optimal fees. Studies in the former group confirm that a range of fees affect the behavior of applicants and suggest that a patent is an inelastic good. Studies in the latter group provide grounds for both low and high application (or pre-grant) fees and renewal (or post-grant) fees, depending on the structural context and policy objectives. The paper also presents new stylized facts on patent fees of 30 patent offices worldwide. It is shown that application fees are generally lower than renewal fees, and renewal fees increase more than proportionally with patent age. Â© 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

/pdf/the-role-of-fees-in-patent-systems-theory-and-evidence-4bu38kag1e.pdf

The role of fees in patent systems: theory and evidence

To determine patentability, inventions are evaluated in light of existing prior art Innovators have a duty to disclose any prior art that they are aware of, but have no obligation to search We study innovators' incentives to search for prior art, their search intensities and the timing We distinguish between early state of the art search - conducted before R&D investment, and novelty search - conducted right before applying for a patent We identify conditions in which innovators have no incentive to search for prior art Search intensity increases with R&D cost, the examiners' expected search effort, and with patenting fees We also find that innovators prefer to correlate their search technology with that of the patent office In light of our model, we discuss the implications of some proposed policy reforms

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm/SSRN_ID1807051_code832810.pdf?abstractid=1807051&mirid=5

Prior Art: To Search or Not to Search

Prior art: To search or not to search

In this paper, we study the determinants of patent quality and volume of patent applications when inventors care about perceived patent quality. We analyze the effects of various policy reforms, specifically, a proposal to establish a two-tiered patent system. In the two-tiered system, applicants can choose between a regular patent and a more costly, possibly more thoroughly examined, "gold-plate" patent. Introducing a second patent-tier can reduce patent applications, reduce the incidence of bad patents, and sometimes increase social welfare. The gold-plate tier attracts inventors with high ex-ante probability of validity, but not necessarily applicants with innovations of high economic value.

Patent Quality and a Two-Tiered Patent System

We study the determinants of patent quality and the volume of patent applica- tions when inventors care about perceived patent quality. We examine the eects of various policy reforms, in particular, a proposal to establish a two-tiered patent system. In the two-tiered system, applicants can choose between a regular patent and a more costly and possibly more thoroughly examined "gold-plate" patent. Introducing a second patent-tier can reduce patent applications and the incidence of bad patents, it sometimes increases welfare. The gold-plate tier attracts inven- tors with high ex-ante probability of validity, but not necessarily applicants with innovations of high economic value.

Vidya Atal

Papers

Prior Art: To Search or Not to Search

Prior art: To search or not to search

Patent Quality and a Two-Tiered Patent System

Patent Quality and a Two-Tiered Patent System

Revisiting the gender wage gap in the United States