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Effects of the European Union trademark: Lessons for the harmonization of intellectual property systems

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  • Herz, Benedikt
  • Mejer, Malwina

Abstract

We study the impact of the European Union Trademark (EUTM), the first pan-European intellectual property right (IPR) title established in 1996. The EUTM drastically reduced the cost of trademark protection, particularly for firms active in many EU member states. As a consequence, the number of marks and the resources spent on protection increased substantially, indicating that there was a large latent demand for IPR protection. Our results suggest that the fragmentation of the EU IPR system, due to the resulting high cost of IPR protection, is an impediment to market entry and innovation, especially for companies operating in smaller EU member states. Our findings are informative for the governance of IPR protection in the EU as well as for plans to harmonize the IPR environment in other trade blocs.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:48:y:2019:i:7:p:1841-1854
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2019.04.010
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    Cited by:

    1. Lirios Alos-Simo & Antonio J. Verdu-Jover & Jose M. Gomez-Gras, 2020. "Knowledge Transfer in Sustainable Contexts: A Comparative Analysis of Periods of Financial Recession and Expansion," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-24, June.
    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. Herz, Benedikt & Mejer, Malwina, 2021. "The effect of design protection on price and price dispersion: Evidence from automotive spare parts," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    4. Sylvia Novillo-Villegas & Ricardo Ayala-Andrade & Juan Pablo Lopez-Cox & Javier Salazar-Oyaneder & Patricia Acosta-Vargas, 2022. "A Roadmap for Innovation Capacity in Developing Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-20, May.
    5. Herz, Benedikt & Mejer, Malwina, 2020. "The effect of design protection on price and price dispersion: Evidence from automotive spare parts," MPRA Paper 109645, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 01 Sep 2021.
    6. Sylvia Novillo-Villegas & Patricia Acosta-Vargas & Christian Cruz-Boada & Mateo Garzon & Andre Marin-Dett & Wendy Anzules-Falcones, 2022. "Sustaining the Path for Innovation Capability from a Developing Country Perspective: A Conceptual Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-26, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Intellectual property systems; Trademarks; European Union trademark; Community trademark; Madrid system; Unitary protection;
    All these keywords.

    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
    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth
    • O52 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Europe

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