, which introduces the decision to patent into a setting with horizontally differentiated products we deduce several … hypotheses and test these empirically. We find that the propensity to patent increases when market entry costs decrease …. Furthermore, if the disclosure requirement linked to a patent has an impact, the propensity to patent decreases with the strength …

This paper empirically investigates a firm’s propensity to patent. It thereby builds on a theoretical model on a firms … is reduced to such an extent that the propensity to patent increases. Furthermore, the intensity of patent protection has … a delaying impact on rival's market entry. -- patenting decision ; secrecy ; disclosure requirement ; patent height …