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Better technology may be sold for a lower fee: The ad valorem tariff and licensing contract

Author

Listed:
  • Tomomichi Mizuno

    (Department of Economics, University of Nagasaki)

  • Kazuhiro Takauchi

    (Department of Economics, Management and Information Science)

  • Takeshi Iida

    (Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University)

Abstract

The main purpose of this study is to investigate how a relationship arises between an ad valorem tariff and licensed technology in a licensing contract. To this end, we study a two-country, two-firm duopolistic trade model. We consider a product market in which a high-tech foreign firm can license its production technology to an importing country. The government of the importing country chooses an ad valorem tariff rate but has no commitment power. In our model, the home government raises the tariff rate as the licensed technology improves. Our two main results in the case that a highly productive technology is licensed are paradoxical: First, better technology is sold for a lower fee in a licensing contract. Second, the profits of both the licenser and licensee decrease as the licensed technology improves. In other words, cost reduction reduces the profits of both the licenser and licensee. These findings indicate that because of the role played by the ad valorem tariff, technology licensing does not always benefit both the licensee and the licenser.

Suggested Citation

  • Tomomichi Mizuno & Kazuhiro Takauchi & Takeshi Iida, 2011. "Better technology may be sold for a lower fee: The ad valorem tariff and licensing contract," Discussion Papers 1109, Graduate School of Economics, Kobe University.
    • Handle: RePEc:koe:wpaper:1109
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    File URL: http://www.econ.kobe-u.ac.jp/RePEc/koe/wpaper/2011/1109.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Stefano Colombo & Luigi Filippini, 2015. "Patent Licensing with Bertrand Competitors," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 83(1), pages 1-16, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Licensing contract; Ad valorem tariff; Fixed fee;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D43 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Oligopoly and Other Forms of Market Imperfection
    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • L13 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Oligopoly and Other Imperfect Markets

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