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Patents and Appropriation: Concerns and Evidence

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Essays in Honor of Edwin Mansfield

Abstract

For over the past twenty years, the United States has witnessed a pro-patent movement. In response, numerous concerns have been raised, including possible impediments to innovation in cumulative technologies, emergence of anti-commons, barriers to entry and an elevation of costs of innovation associated with defensive patenting, growth in patent litigation and poor quality patents. Although there is little systematic evidence that these concerns have materialized in any substantial way, vigilance is nonetheless warranted.

Originally prepared for presentation at the 10th International Joseph A. Schumpeter Society Conference, Universita Bocconi, Milan, 9–12 June 2004.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, Box 90120, 1 Towerview Drive, Durham, North Carolina, 27708

    Wesley M. Cohen

Authors
  1. Wesley M. Cohen
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Bryan School of Business and Economics, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA

    Albert N. Link

  2. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Emeritus, USA

    F. M. Scherer

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Cohen, W.M. (2005). Patents and Appropriation: Concerns and Evidence. In: Link, A.N., Scherer, F.M. (eds) Essays in Honor of Edwin Mansfield. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-25022-0_17

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