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Individual versus institutional ownership of university-discovered inventions

Author

Listed:
  • Dirk Czarnitzki
  • Thorsten Doherr
  • Katrin Hussinger
  • Paula Schliessler
  • Andrew A Toole

Abstract

We examine how the ownership of intellectual property rights influences patenting of university-discovered inventions. In 2002, Germany transferred patent rights from faculty members to their universities. To identify the effect on the volume of patenting, we exploit the researcher-level exogeneity of the 2002 policy change using a novel researcher-level panel database that includes a control group not affected by the law change. For professors who had existing industry connections, the policy decreased patenting, but for those without prior industry connections, it increased patenting. Overall, fewer university inventions were patented following the shift from inventor to institutional ownership.

Suggested Citation

  • Dirk Czarnitzki & Thorsten Doherr & Katrin Hussinger & Paula Schliessler & Andrew A Toole, 2015. "Individual versus institutional ownership of university-discovered inventions," Working Papers of Department of Management, Strategy and Innovation, Leuven 482370, KU Leuven, Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), Department of Management, Strategy and Innovation, Leuven.
    • Handle: RePEc:ete:msiper:482370
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    1. is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Brixy, Udo & Murmann, Martin, 2016. "The growth and human capital structure of new firms over the business cycle," ZEW Discussion Papers 16-079, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    3. Camarero Garcia, Sebastian & Murmann, Martin, 2020. "Unemployment benefit duration and startup success," ZEW Discussion Papers 20-033, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    4. Grimpe, Christoph & Murmann, Martin & Sofka, Wolfgang, 2017. "The organizational design of high-tech startups and product innovation," ZEW Discussion Papers 17-074, ZEW - Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research.
    5. Lidia Yatluk, 2020. "Strategies and Tactics of Academics in the Context of Transition toward the Entrepreneurial University," Voprosy obrazovaniya / Educational Studies Moscow, National Research University Higher School of Economics, issue 4, pages 165-192.
    6. Ejermo, Olof & Toivanen, Hannes, 2018. "University invention and the abolishment of the professor's privilege in Finland," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(4), pages 814-825.
    7. Catalina Martínez & Valerio Sterzi, 2021. "The impact of the abolishment of the professor’s privilege on European university-owned patents," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(3), pages 247-282, March.
    8. Liu, Xin & Li, Xue & Yang, Wei & Zhang, Ben, 2025. "How does patent mixed ownership impact university technology commercialization? Evidence from China," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).
    9. Sebastian Camarero Garcia & Martin Murmann, 2025. "How unemployment benefit duration shapes startup motivation and growth," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 64(4), pages 1565-1600, April.
    10. Czarnitzki, Dirk & Doherr, Thorsten & Hussinger, Katrin & Schliessler, Paula & Toole, Andrew A., 2016. "Knowledge Creates Markets: The influence of entrepreneurial support and patent rights on academic entrepreneurship," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 131-146.
    11. Olof Ejermo & John Källström, 2016. "What is the causal effect of R&D on patenting activity in a “professor’s privilege” country? Evidence from Sweden," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 47(3), pages 677-694, October.
    12. Udo Brixy & Martin Murmann, 2025. "Hiring opportunities for new firms and the business cycle," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 64(3), pages 1387-1413, March.
    13. Hvide, Hans K. & Jones, Benjamin, 2016. "University Innovation and the Professor’s Privilege," CEPR Discussion Papers 11139, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    14. Ятлук Л. Ю., 2020. "Стратегии И Тактики Адаптации Ученых В Условиях Перехода К Предпринимательскому Университету," Вопросы образования // Educational Studies Moscow, National Research University Higher School of Economics, issue 4, pages 165-192.
    15. van Burg, Elco & Du, Jingshu & Kers, Jannigje Gerdien, 2021. "When do academics patent outside their university? An in-depth case study," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    16. Belitski, Maksim & Aginskaja, Anna & Marozau, Radzivon, 2019. "Commercializing university research in transition economies: Technology transfer offices or direct industrial funding?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(3), pages 601-615.
    17. Hans K. Hvide & Benjamin F. Jones, 2018. "University Innovation and the Professor's Privilege," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 108(7), pages 1860-1898, July.
    18. Isabel Cavalli & Charlie Joyez, 2021. "The Dynamics of French Universities in Patent Collaboration Networks," GREDEG Working Papers 2021-38, Groupe de REcherche en Droit, Economie, Gestion (GREDEG CNRS), Université Côte d'Azur, France.
    19. Murmann, Martin, 2017. "The Growth and Human Capital Structure of New Firms over the Business Cycle," VfS Annual Conference 2017 (Vienna): Alternative Structures for Money and Banking 168290, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy

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