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Determinants of foreign patents in China

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  • Sun, Yifei

Abstract

This study examines patterns of foreign patents and their determinants in China from 1985 to 1999. It reveals that China's patent system is not significantly different from those in most countries, though it is more oriented towards promoting technology diffusion rather than protecting inventors' rights. Since China patent law came into force in 1985, foreign patents, as well as China's domestic patents have been growing rapidly. The study confirms the substantial differences between foreign patents in China and China's domestic patents revealed by previous studies. First, foreign patents primarily fall within the category of inventions, whereas the majority of Chinese domestic patents consist of utility models and industrial designs. Second, foreign patents in China are largely awarded to organizations, while individuals comprise the majority of Chinese domestic patentees. Third, foreign patents in China concentrate in a small number of advanced and newly industrialized economies (NIEs). In addition, this study finds that foreign patents in China are primarily driven by demand factors such as imports from the origin countries, while innovative capabilities of the origin countries or their distances from China are not very significant yet. Finally, this study reveals that innovative capabilities of foreign countries are starting to show significant impacts on their patents in China, particularly on inventions, indicating increasing competition in the Chinese market.

Suggested Citation

  • Sun, Yifei, 2003. "Determinants of foreign patents in China," World Patent Information, Elsevier, vol. 25(1), pages 27-37, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:worpat:v:25:y:2003:i:1:p:27-37
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Cai, Helen (Huifen) & Sarpong, David & Tang, Xiaoyun & Zhao, Guiqin, 2020. "Foreign patents surge and technology spillovers in China (1985–2009): Evidence from the patent and trade markets," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    2. Maria Comune & Alireza Naghavi & Giovanni Prarolo, 2011. "Intellectual Property Rights and South-North Formation of Global Innovation Networks," Center for Economic Research (RECent) 069, University of Modena and Reggio E., Dept. of Economics "Marco Biagi".
    3. Li, Hao-Chung & Lee, Wen-Chieh & Ko, Bo-Ting, 2017. "What determines misallocation in innovation? A study of regional innovation in China," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 221-237.
    4. Ma, Ding & Yu, Qian & Li, Jing & Ge, Mengni, 2021. "Innovation diffusion enabler or barrier: An investigation of international patenting based on temporal exponential random graph models," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    5. Liu, Li-jun & Cao, Cong & Song, Min, 2014. "China's agricultural patents: How has their value changed amid recent patent boom?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 106-121.
    6. Jian Xu & Yongrong Cao, 2019. "Innovation, the Flying Geese Model, IPR Protection, and Sustainable Economic Development in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-27, October.
    7. Wunsch-Vincent, Sacha & Kashcheeva, Mila & Zhou, Hao, 2015. "International patenting by Chinese residents: Constructing a database of Chinese foreign-oriented patent families," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 198-219.
    8. Yang, Deli & Sonmez, Mahmut (Maho), 2018. "Global norm of national treatment for patent uncertainties: A longitudinal comparison between the US and China," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 53(2), pages 164-176.
    9. Fei Yu & Yanrui Wu, 2013. "Patent Citations and Knowledge Spillovers: An Analysis of Chinese Patents Registered in the US," Economics Discussion / Working Papers 13-08, The University of Western Australia, Department of Economics.
    10. Kroll, Henning, 2015. "Exploring pathways of regional technological development in China through patent analysis," Working Papers "Firms and Region" R1/2015, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI).
    11. M. Comune & A. Naghavi & G. Prarolo, 2011. "Intellectual Property Rights and South-North Global Innovation Networks," Working Papers wp764, Dipartimento Scienze Economiche, Universita' di Bologna.
    12. Keupp, Marcus Matthias & Friesike, Sascha & von Zedtwitz, Maximilian, 2012. "How do foreign firms patent in emerging economies with weak appropriability regimes? Archetypes and motives," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(8), pages 1422-1439.
    13. Christian Fisch & Tobias Hassel & Philipp Sandner & Joern Block, 2015. "University patenting: a comparison of 300 leading universities worldwide," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 40(2), pages 318-345, April.
    14. Chen, Kaihua & Guan, Jiancheng, 2011. "Mapping the functionality of China's regional innovation systems: A structural approach," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 22(1), pages 11-27, March.
    15. Qayoom Khachoo & Ridwan Ah Sheikh, 2023. "Do Preferential Trade Agreements Stimulate Non-Resident Patenting? Evidence from BRICS," Working papers 341, Centre for Development Economics, Delhi School of Economics.
    16. Shue Wu & Zhenlei Huang & Weizhou Zhong, 2014. "Does inertia matter for parts manufacturers’ innovation?," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 101(1), pages 705-716, October.
    17. Chung-Chu Chuang & Chung-Min Tsai & Hsiao-Chen Chang & Yi-Hsien Wang, 2021. "Applying Quantile Regression to Assess the Relationship between R&D, Technology Import and Patent Performance in Taiwan," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-14, August.
    18. Yang, Deli, 2008. "Pendency and grant ratios of invention patents: A comparative study of the US and China," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(6-7), pages 1035-1046, July.
    19. Kim, Dong-hyu, 2022. "Effects of catch-up and incumbent firms’ SEP strategic manoeuvres," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(5).

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