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The effect of patent disclosure quality on innovation

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  • Dyer, Travis A.
  • Glaeser, Stephen
  • Lang, Mark H.
  • Sprecher, Caroline

Abstract

The patent system grants inventors temporary monopoly rights in exchange for a public disclosure detailing their innovation. These disclosures are meant to allow others to recreate and build on the patented innovation. We examine how the quality of these disclosures affects follow-on innovation. We use the plausibly exogenous assignment to patent applications of examiners who differ in their enforcement of disclosure requirements as a source of variation in disclosure quality. We find that some examiners are significantly more lenient with respect to patent disclosure quality requirements, and that patents granted by these examiners include significantly lower-quality disclosures and generate significantly less follow-on innovation. Overall, our evidence suggests that high-quality patent disclosures create knowledge spillovers that spur follow-on innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Dyer, Travis A. & Glaeser, Stephen & Lang, Mark H. & Sprecher, Caroline, 2024. "The effect of patent disclosure quality on innovation," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 77(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jaecon:v:77:y:2024:i:2:s016541012300071x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jacceco.2023.101647
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    Cited by:

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    3. Hong Xu & Kai Lin & Hui Wang & Weifen Lin & Longzheng Du, 2025. "Does local green governance promote corporate green innovation? A new perspective from green officials," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 68(4), pages 1861-1892, April.
    4. Klein, Michael, 2024. "Patent policy, invention and innovation in the theory of Schumpeterian growth," MPRA Paper 122283, University Library of Munich, Germany.
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    6. Wu, Yue Rio & Huang, Sterling & Tsang, Albert & Wang, Kun Tracy, 2025. "Generalist managers and firm innovation worldwide: The role of innovation-specific institutions," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(2).

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy

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