This article investigates the relation between the level of publicness of digital goods – i.e. their degree of non-excludability and non-rivalness – and the pirating behaviour of the consumers. The main focus is put on the difference between the ex-ante level of publicness – determined by...

This paper analyses the incentives of a vertical integrated Internet service provider (ISP) to block competitors from content markets. Using a simple model we find that the ISP does not block competing content providers as long as the contents are differentiated sufficiently. Exclusion only...

The development of an informational society requires consolidating trust in information and communication technology (ICT), the protection of personal data and of the right to a private life, but also promoting a world and national unification of the info

Beginning in December 2004 Google has pursued a new project to create a book search engine (Google Book Search). The project has released a storm of controversy around the globe. While the supporters of Google Book Search conceive the project as a first reasonable step towards unlimited access...

The organization of information production is undergoing a deep transformation. Alongside media corporations, which have been for long time the predominant institutions of information production, new organizational forms have emerged, e.g. free software communities, open-content on-line wikis,...

In corporate restructuring under Chapter 11, an asset valuation is a central task for both legal and financial reasons. In the area of intangible assets, however, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) do not reflect internally-generated assets such as brands, trademarks, and other...

Recent empirical studies suggest a need for a ?exible patent regime responding to industry characteristics. In practice, sector-speci?c modi?cations of patent strength already exist but lack theoretical foundation. This paper intends to make up for this neglect by scrutinizing in what direction...

We show that when the researcher’s (observable but not contractible) contribution to innovation is crucial, a covenant not to compete (CNC) reduces effort and profits under both spot and relational contracts. Having no CNC allows the researcher to leave for a rival. This alleviates a...

We show that when the researcher’s (observable but not contractible) contribution <p> to innovation is crucial, a covenant not to compete (CNC) reduces e.ort and profits <p> under both spot and relational contracts. Having no CNC allows the researcher to <p> leave for a rival. This alleviates a...</p></p></p>

We analyze firms’ incentives to cluster in an industrial district to benefit from <p> reciprocal technology spillovers. A simple model of cumulative innovation is presented <p> where technology spillovers arise endogenously through labor mobility. It is <p> shown that firms’ incentives to cluster are...</p></p></p>