Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/56016 
Year of Publication: 
2012
Series/Report no.: 
ZEW Discussion Papers No. 12-010
Publisher: 
Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung (ZEW), Mannheim
Abstract: 
This article explores the propensity to patent in the light of the disclosure effect. Unlike earlier approaches concerned with the patenting decision, we take into account that a disclosure effect may decrease the merits of patenting by facilitating inventing around the patent for competitors. In our theoretical model, we find that the disclosure effect - contingent on the competitive environment of the inventor - possibly has substantial negative effects on the propensity to patent. An empirical investigation of the theoretical results finds support for the proposed effects.
Subjects: 
Patenting decision
secrecy
disclosure requirement
patent breadth
horizontal product differentiation
circular city
JEL: 
L13
L24
O34
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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