Measuring the extent of the phenomenon of patenting in fundamental research (by and large taking place in universities and public research organizations) and studying its determinants and implications can improve our understanding of both the economics of science and the economics of technical...

I survey the recent literature on the extent and characteristics of the phenomenon of academic patenting in the U.S. and Europe, and highlight differences and similarities between the two areas. I then examine the importance of academic patents as a vehicle for technology transfer, their...