Appendix is available at: 'https://ssrn.com/abstract=3034480' https://ssrn.com/abstract=3034480Perpetual licenses incent owners incentives to invest in the common value of public resources, but impede efficient reallocation of resources to higher-valued entrants. Short-term licenses improve...

Many governments assign use licenses for natural resources, such as radio spectrum, fishing rights, and mineral extraction rights, through auctions or other market-like mechanisms. License design affects resource users' investment incentives, as well as the efficiency of asset allocation. No...