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University patent litigation in the United States: Do we have a problem?

Author

Listed:
  • Grazia Sveva Ascione

    (BSE - Bordeaux Sciences Economiques - UB - Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Laura Ciucci

    (LEM - Lille économie management - UMR 9221 - UA - Université d'Artois - UCL - Université catholique de Lille - Université de Lille - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Claudio Detotto
  • Valerio Sterzi

    (BSE - Bordeaux Sciences Economiques - UB - Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

In an attempt to increase revenues from patenting activities, some universities have started in recent years to pursue "overzealous" strategies to monetize their existing patents, by selling them to the highest bidder and enforcing them in court. In this paper we find quantitative evidence that patent litigation has an adverse effect on university technology transfer activities, reinforcing prior findings by Shane and Somaya (2007). However, we empirically show that universities do not litigate aggressively over patent infringement: not only do they litigate much less than patent assertion entities (PAEs), but we also observe no increase in terms of their propensity to litigate over the last two decades. Nor do we find any evidence of aggressive litigation strategies.

Suggested Citation

  • Grazia Sveva Ascione & Laura Ciucci & Claudio Detotto & Valerio Sterzi, 2024. "University patent litigation in the United States: Do we have a problem?," Post-Print hal-04528949, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04528949
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2023.104909
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C25 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models; Discrete Regressors; Proportions; Probabilities
    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital
    • K41 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Litigation Process

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