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Intellectual Property Rights and the Ascent of Proprietary Innovation in Agriculture

Author

Listed:
  • Matthew S. Clancy

    (Economic Research Service, US Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20024)

  • GianCarlo Moschini

    (Department of Economics and Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011)

Abstract

Biological innovations in agriculture did not enjoy protection by formal intellectual property rights (IPRs) for a long time, but the recent trend has been one of considerable broadening and strengthening of these rights. We document the nature and evolution of these IPRs and provide an assessment of their impacts on innovation. We integrate elements of the institutional history of plant IPRs with a discussion of the relevant economic theory and a review of applicable empirical evidence. Throughout this review, we highlight how the experience of biological innovation mirrors or differs from the broader literature on IPRs and innovation. We conclude with some considerations on the relationship between IPRs, market structure, and the pricing of proprietary inputs in agriculture.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew S. Clancy & GianCarlo Moschini, 2017. "Intellectual Property Rights and the Ascent of Proprietary Innovation in Agriculture," Annual Review of Resource Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 9(1), pages 53-74, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:anr:reseco:v:9:y:2017:p:53-74
    DOI: 10.1146/annurev-resource-100516-053524
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    Cited by:

    1. Matthew Clancy & Paul Heisey & Yongjie Ji & GianCarlo Moschini, 2020. "The Roots of Agricultural Innovation: Patent Evidence of Knowledge Spillovers," NBER Chapters, in: Economics of Research and Innovation in Agriculture, pages 21-75, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Minyu Zhou & Ian Sheldon & Jihyun Eum, 2018. "The role of intellectual property rights in seed technology transfer through trade: evidence from U.S. field crop seed exports," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 49(4), pages 423-434, July.
    3. Danilo Bertoni & Daniele Cavicchioli & Franco Donzelli & Giovanni Ferrazzi & Dario G. Frisio & Roberto Pretolani & Elena Claire Ricci & Vera Ventura, 2018. "Recent Contributions of Agricultural Economics Research in the Field of Sustainable Development," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-20, December.
    4. Mercedes Campi & Alessandro Nuvolari, 2021. "Intellectual Property Rights and Agricultural Development: Evidence from a Worldwide Index of IPRs in Agriculture (1961-2018)," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(4), pages 650-668, April.
    5. Luo, Jinjing & Moschini, GianCarlo & Perry, Edward D., 2023. "Switching costs in the US seed industry: Technology adoption and welfare impacts," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    6. Michael J. Andrews, 2021. "Historical patent data: A practitioner's guide," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 368-397, May.
    7. Sylvie Bonny, 2017. "Corporate Concentration and Technological Change in the Global Seed Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-25, September.
    8. Matin Qaim, 2020. "Role of New Plant Breeding Technologies for Food Security and Sustainable Agricultural Development," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 42(2), pages 129-150, June.
    9. Edward D. Perry & David A. Hennessy & GianCarlo Moschini, 2022. "Uncertainty and learning in a technologically dynamic industry: Seed density in U.S. maize," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 104(4), pages 1388-1410, August.
    10. Fugeray-Scarbel, Aline & Lemarié, Stéphane, 2024. "The amplified effect of market size on innovation: A comparative analysis of pea and wheat seed value chains in France," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 219(C).
    11. Adrien Hervouet & Stéphane Lemarié, 2025. "Farm‐saved seed, royalty rates, and innovation in plant breeding," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 107(2), pages 465-503, March.
    12. Robert M. Chiles & Garrett Broad & Mark Gagnon & Nicole Negowetti & Leland Glenna & Megan A. M. Griffin & Lina Tami-Barrera & Siena Baker & Kelly Beck, 2021. "Democratizing ownership and participation in the 4th Industrial Revolution: challenges and opportunities in cellular agriculture," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 38(4), pages 943-961, December.
    13. Federico Ciliberto & GianCarlo Moschini & Edward D. Perry, 2019. "Valuing product innovation: genetically engineered varieties in US corn and soybeans," RAND Journal of Economics, RAND Corporation, vol. 50(3), pages 615-644, September.
    14. Adrien Hervouet & Stéphane Lemarié, 2021. "The Economics of Royalty Rate in Plant Breeding," Post-Print hal-03837325, HAL.
    15. Lea Kliem, 2024. "Strengthening agroecological resilience through commons-based seed governance in the Philippines," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(2), pages 5367-5399, February.
    16. Clancy, Matthew S., "undated". "How deep are the roots of agricultural innovation? Evidence from patents," 2018 Annual Meeting, August 5-7, Washington, D.C. 274377, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    17. Seungki Lee & Yongjie Ji & GianCarlo Moschini, 2021. "Agricultural Innovation and Adaptation to Climate Change: Insights from Genetically Engineered Maize," Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) Publications 21-wp616, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) at Iowa State University.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital
    • Q16 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - R&D; Agricultural Technology; Biofuels; Agricultural Extension Services

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