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Do more citations mean better patents?

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  • Gaetan de Rassenfosse

Abstract

This article reviews the empirical evidence on the use of patent citations as a proxy for invention importance. It distinguishes between technical merit, private economic value, and social value, and surveys validation studies using expert ratings, market data, renewal records, and compensation reports. The findings confirm that while the count of citations is positively associated with various dimensions of value, it remains a noisy indicator -- correlated but far from definitive.

Suggested Citation

  • Gaetan de Rassenfosse, 2025. "Do more citations mean better patents?," Papers 2508.20503, arXiv.org, revised Aug 2025.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2508.20503
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    References listed on IDEAS

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