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The Impact of International Patent Systems: Evidence from Accession to the European Patent Convention

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  • Bronwyn Hall
  • Christian Helmers

Abstract

We analyze the impact of accession to the regional patent system established by the European Patent Convention (EPC) on 14 countries that acceded between 2000 and 2008. We look at changes in patenting behavior by domestic and foreign applicants at the national patent offices and the European Patent Office (EPO). Our findings suggest a strong change in patent filing behavior among foreigners seeking patent protection in the accession states, substituting EPO patents for domestic patents immediately. However, there is little evidence that accession increased FDI by patenting foreign companies in accession countries. Moreover, there is no discernible reaction among domestic entities in terms of domestic filings, although we do find some evidence that applicants in accession states increased their propensity to file patents with the EPO post-accession. Inventor-level information suggests that the underlying inventions originate in the accession states

Suggested Citation

  • Bronwyn Hall & Christian Helmers, 2018. "The Impact of International Patent Systems: Evidence from Accession to the European Patent Convention," NBER Working Papers 24207, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:24207
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    1. Hu, Hui & Qi, Shaozhou & Chen, Yuanzhi, 2023. "Using green technology for a better tomorrow: How enterprises and government utilize the carbon trading system and incentive policies," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    2. Ejdemo, Thomas & Örtqvist, Daniel, 2020. "Related variety as a driver of regional innovation and entrepreneurship: A moderated and mediated model with non-linear effects," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(7).
    3. 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).
    4. Standaert, Thomas & Collewaert, Veroniek & Vanacker, Tom, 2025. "Regulatory institutions and cross-country differences in high-growth entrepreneurship rates: A configurational approach," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 40(2).
    5. Kyriakos Drivas & Claire Economidou & Ioannis Kaplanis & Maria Theano Tagaraki, 2021. "Smart Specialization in a Subnational Context: Evidence From Greece," SPOUDAI Journal of Economics and Business, SPOUDAI Journal of Economics and Business, University of Piraeus, vol. 71(3-4), pages 3-12, July-Dece.
    6. Gill, Andrej & Heller, David, 2024. "Leveraging intellectual property: The value of harmonized enforcement regimes," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    7. Georg von Graevenitz & Antanina Garanasvili, 2018. "The European Patent System: A Descriptive Analysis," Working Paper series, University of East Anglia, Centre for Competition Policy (CCP) 2018-12, Centre for Competition Policy, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK..
    8. Di Fan & Long Zhao, 2023. "The role of business locations in international patenting," Journal of Economics, Springer, vol. 139(1), pages 43-69, June.
    9. James Driver, 2025. "Property Rights, Firm Size and Investments in Innovation: Evidence from the America Invents Act," Working Papers 25-31, Center for Economic Studies, U.S. Census Bureau.
    10. Harald J. Amberger & Saskia Kohlhase, 2023. "International taxation and the organizational form of foreign direct investment," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 54(8), pages 1529-1561, October.
    11. Di Fan & Long Zhao, 2022. "Old Wine in New Bottles: Patenting Propensity," Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 207-224, June.
    12. Herz, Benedikt & Mejer, Malwina, 2019. "Effects of the European Union trademark: Lessons for the harmonization of intellectual property systems," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(7), pages 1841-1854.
    13. Jorge L. Contreras & Bronwyn H. Hall & Christian Helmers, 2018. "Green Technology Diffusion: A Post-Mortem Analysis of the Eco-Patent Commons," NBER Working Papers 25271, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    14. Nam, Ji-Hyun & Lee, Sun-Jae & Park, Sung-Pil & Lee, Il-Gu, 2023. "IP dLedger - Decentralized ledger for intellectual property administration," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 186(PA).
    15. Le Thuy Ngoc An & Yoshiyuki Matsuura & Mohammad Ali Tareq & Nurhayati Md Issa & Norliza Che-Yahya, 2023. "Impact of Patent Signal on Firm’s Performance at IPO: An Empirical Analysis of Japanese Firms," Economies, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-22, March.
    16. Doris Schartinger & Michael Barber, 2025. "Firms’ intellectual property protection with national versus European design rights: a count model," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 130(8), pages 4157-4186, August.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F53 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Agreements and Observance; International Organizations
    • F55 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Institutional Arrangements
    • O34 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Intellectual Property and Intellectual Capital

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