The Utility Standard and the Patentability of Intermediate Technology
We explore the consequences of the utility requirement on speed of innovation, welfare and public policy. A weak utility requirement means that an intermediate technology with no immediate application or commercial value is patentable. Using a model of two stage innovation with free entry and trade secrecy, we identify cases when patentability is beneficial to society. Although a firm may undertake basic research protected by trade secrecy, patentability is still desirable when spillover is high and innovation costs are high. However, patentability becomes less desirable as basic research costs decrease. We also show that high value of final technology by itself does not favor non-patentability and identify condition when it does.
Year of publication: |
2003-04
|
---|---|
Authors: | Aoki, Reiko ; Nagaoka, Sadao |
Institutions: | Institute of Economic Research, Hitotsubashi University |
Saved in:
freely available
Saved in favorites
Similar items by person
-
The Utility Standard and the Patentability of Intermediate Technology
Aoki, Reiko, (2005)
-
The Consortium Standard and Patent Pools
Aoki, Reiko, (2004)
-
Implications of Product Patents : Lessons from Japan
Aoki, Reiko, (2005)
- More ...