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Deepening digital intellectual property rules and digital international patenting

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  • Wang, Yanan
  • Cui, Shanshan

Abstract

We investigate the interactions between intellectual property provisions within Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) and digital international patent applications. Using the Incopat database, our analysis covers patent applications from 10 applicant countries to 154 destination countries from 2003 to 2019. The findings suggest a robust positive correlation between the presence of digital intellectual property provisions in RTAs and digital transnational patent applications. This relationship exhibits heterogeneity across different patent application destination countries. Furthermore, bilateral digital trade volume may play a mediating role, and bilateral political relations could weaken the interactions.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Yanan & Cui, Shanshan, 2025. "Deepening digital intellectual property rules and digital international patenting," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 251(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:251:y:2025:i:c:s0165176525001491
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2025.112312
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    References listed on IDEAS

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