This file is part of IDEAS, which uses RePEc data


[ Papers | Articles | Software | Books | Chapters | Authors | Institutions | JEL Classification | NEP reports | Search | New papers by email | Author registration | Rankings | Volunteers | FAQ | Blog | Help! ]

Patents: Recent Trends and Puzzles

Author info | Abstract | Publisher info | Download info | Related research | Statistics
Author Info
Zvi Griliches

Additional information is available for the following registered author(s):

Abstract

This paper reviews the historical data on patenting in the United States with special reference to the last 20 years and their potential relation, if any, to the recent productivity slowdown. Two Points are made: Patents are not a "constant-yardstick" indicator of either inventive input or output. Moreover, they are "produced" by a governmental agency which goes through its own budgetary and inefficiency cycles. The paper shows that the appearance of an absolute decline in patenting in the 1970's is an artifact of such a cycle. This leaves us still with the longer run puzzle of a slower growth in patenting, especially by U.S. residents, relative to R&D expenditures. It is conjectured that this reflects more the changing character of patents and R&D than an indication of diminishing returns to R&D and an exhaustion of technological opportunities.

Download Info
To download:

If you experience problems downloading a file, check if you have the proper application to view it first. Information about this may be contained in the File-Format links below. In case of further problems read the IDEAS help page. Note that these files are not on the IDEAS site. Please be patient as the files may be large.

File URL: http://www.nber.org/papers/w2922.pdf
File Format: application/pdf
File Function:
Download Restriction: Access to the full text is generally limited to series subscribers, however if the top level domain of the client browser is in a developing country or transition economy free access is provided. More information about subscriptions and free access is available at http://www.nber.org/wwphelp.html.

As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to look for a different version under "Related research" (further below) or search for a different version of it.

Publisher Info
Paper provided by National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc in its series NBER Working Papers with number 2922.

Download reference. The following formats are available: HTML (with abstract), plain text (with abstract), BibTeX, RIS (EndNote, RefMan, ProCite), ReDIF
Length:
Date of creation: Sep 1989
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:2922

Note: PR
Contact details of provider:
Postal: National Bureau of Economic Research, 1050 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
Phone: 617-868-3900
Email:
Web page: http://www.nber.org
More information through EDIRC

For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its listing, contact: ().

Related research
Keywords:

Other versions of this item:

Cited by:
(explanations, Please report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.)
  1. David Popp, 2003. "ENTICE: Endogenous Technological Change in the DICE Model of Global Warming," NBER Working Papers 9762, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  2. Claudio Michelacci, 2003. "Low Returns in R&D Due to the Lack of Entrepreneurial Skills," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 113(484), pages 207-225, January. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  3. Eleftherios Sapsalis & Bruno Van Pottelsberghe & Ran Navon, 2006. "Academic Patenting vs. Industry Patenting: An in-depth analysis of what determines patent value," Working Papers CEB 05-008.RS, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, Centre Emile Bernheim (CEB). [Downloadable!]
  4. Philippe Aghion & Peter Howitt, 1990. "A Model of Growth Through Creative Destruction," NBER Working Papers 3223, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
    Other versions:
  5. Hollanders,Hugo & Soete,Luc & Weel,Bas,ter, 1999. "Trends in Growth Convergence and Divergence and Changes in Technological Access and Capabilities," Research Memoranda 018, Maastricht : MERIT, Maastricht Economic Research Institute on Innovation and Technology. [Downloadable!]
  6. Nogues, Julio, 1990. "Notes on patents, distortions, and development," Policy Research Working Paper Series 315, The World Bank. [Downloadable!]
  7. Eleftherios Sapsalis & Bruno Van Pottelsberghe, 2005. "The institutional sources of knowledge and the value of academic patents," Working Papers CEB 04-003.RS, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management, Centre Emile Bernheim (CEB). [Downloadable!]
    Other versions:
  8. Michelacci, Claudio, 2002. "Low Returns in R&D Due to Lack of Entrepreneurial Skills," CEPR Discussion Papers 3179, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  9. M. Ishaq Nadiri, 1993. "Innovations and Technological Spillovers," NBER Working Papers 4423, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  10. Y. Abdih & Frederick Joutz, 2005. "Relating the Knowledge Production Function to Total Factor productivity: An Endogenous Growth Puzzle," IMF Working Papers 05/74, International Monetary Fund. [Downloadable!]
  11. David Popp, 2004. "ENTICE-BR: The Effects of Backstop Technology R&D on Climate Policy Models," NBER Working Papers 10285, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  12. Petr Hanel & Sofiene Zorgati, 2000. "Technology Spillovers and Trade:Empirical Evidence for the G7 Industrial Countries," Cahiers de recherche 00-07, Departement d'Economique de la Faculte d'administration à l'Universite de Sherbrooke. [Downloadable!]
  13. Shah, Anwar & DEC, 1994. "The economics of research and development : how research and development capital affects production and markets and is affected by tax incentives," Policy Research Working Paper Series 1325, The World Bank. [Downloadable!]
  14. repec:att:wimass:1920030 is not listed on IDEAS
  15. Nadiri, M.I., 1993. "Innovations and Technological Spillovers," Working Papers 93-31, C.V. Starr Center for Applied Economics, New York University. [Downloadable!]
  16. Alwyn Young, 1995. "Growth Without Scale Effects," NBER Working Papers 5211, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  17. Paroma Sanyal, 2005. "Understanding Patents: The Role of R&D Funding Sources and the Patent Office," Industrial Organization 0504012, EconWPA. [Downloadable!]
  18. John Shea, 1998. "What Do Technology Shocks Do?," NBER Working Papers 6632, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
Statistics
Access and download statistics

Did you know? RePEc also has a blog.

This page was last updated on 2009-11-21.

This information is provided to you by IDEAS at the Department of Economics, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Connecticut using RePEc data on a server sponsored by the Society for Economic Dynamics.