Malwina Mejer () (Université Libre de Bruxelles) Bruno van Pottelsberghe de la Potterie () (Université Libre de Bruxelles)
Abstract
This article argues that the consequences of the ‘fragmentation’ of the European patent system are more dramatic than the mere prohibitive costs of maintaining a patent in force in many jurisdictions. The prevalence of national jurisdictions, which are highly heterogeneous in their costs and practices, over the validity and enforcement of European patents induces both a high level of uncertainty and an intense managerial complexity which undoubtedly reduces both the effectiveness and the attractiveness of the European patent system in its mission to stimulate innovation.
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Publisher Info
Paper provided by Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB) in its series Working Papers with number
2009/31.
Find related papers by JEL classification: K41 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Litigation Process P14 - Economic Systems - - Capitalist Systems - - - Property Rights O34 - Economic Development, Technological Change, and Growth - - Technological Change - - - Intellectual Property Rights
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