We analyze the effect of patent thickets on entry into technology areas by firms in the UK. We present a model that … the potential for hold‐up in patent thickets. We show empirically that our measure of patent thickets is associated with a … evidence indicates that patent thickets raise entry costs, which leads to less entry into technologies regardless of a firm …

evidence on patents as incentives for innovation, the effectiveness of patents for invention disclosure, patent valuation, and … the design of patent systems. We also look at some current policy areas, including software and business method patents …, university patenting, and the growth in patent litigation. …

During the 1980s, changes in the U.S. legalenvironment lead to stronger patent rights. In this study, the effect of … this"pro-patent" shift on the semiconductor industry is examined. Fieldinterviews were conducted between 1979 and 1995 with … activity of approximately 100 publicly traded semiconductorfirms. The patent data were matched with financial variables for …

I survey some recent research on the role of patents in encouraging innovation and growth in developing economies …, beginning with a brief history of international patent systems and facts about the current use of patents around the world. I … discuss research on the implications of patents for international technology transfer and domestic innovation. This is …