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Nordic networks: patent agents and the business of technology intermediation in Sweden and Finland, 1860–1910

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  • David E. Andersson
  • Matti La Mela

Abstract

The article analyses Swedish and Finnish patent agents and their businesses at the turn of the twentieth century. Due to legal requirements, all foreign patent applications had to pass through the hands of patent agents. Despite the central role, this transnational business of technology intermediation has received only limited attention in the scholarship. The article studies the business relationships between the patent agents and their clients, and employs new datasets, which include information about all foreign patentees using a patent agent in 1860–1910. The main findings are that the transnational business relationships affected the specialisation of national patent agents, especially in Finland, where patent agents with a legal background contributed to the inflow of inventions managed by Swedish patent agents. Patent agent services also represented significant indirect costs of the patent systems for their foreign clients.

Suggested Citation

  • David E. Andersson & Matti La Mela, 2020. "Nordic networks: patent agents and the business of technology intermediation in Sweden and Finland, 1860–1910," Scandinavian Economic History Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 68(1), pages 45-65, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:sehrxx:v:68:y:2020:i:1:p:45-65
    DOI: 10.1080/03585522.2019.1667425
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    Cited by:

    1. Grant Fleming & Frank Liu & David Merrett & Simon Ville, 2022. "Patents, Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth in Australia, 1860-2010," CEH Discussion Papers 08, Centre for Economic History, Research School of Economics, Australian National University.
    2. Heikkilä, Jussi T.S. & Peltoniemi, Mirva, 2023. "The changing work of IPR attorneys: 30 years of institutional transitions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    3. Grant Fleming & Frank Liu & David Merrett & Simon Ville, 2022. "Australian Innovative Activity and Offshore Technology 1904 – 2016," CEH Discussion Papers 09, Centre for Economic History, Research School of Economics, Australian National University.

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