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How Patent Rights Affect University Science

Author

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  • Laurent R. Bergé

    (Université de Bordeaux)

  • Thorsten Doherr

    (ZEW, Centre for European Economic Research)

  • Katrin Hussinger

    (Université du Luxembourg)

Abstract

How do intellectual property rights influence academic science? We investigate the consequences of the introduction of software patents in the U.S. on the publications of university researchers in the field of computer science. Difference-indifference estimations reveal that software scientists at U.S. universities produced fewer publications (both in terms of quantity and quality) than their European counterparts after patent rights for software inventions were introduced. We then introduce a theoretical model that accounts for substitution and complementarity between patenting and publishing as well as for the direction of research. In line with the model’s prediction, further results show that the decrease in publications is largest for scientists at the bottom of the ability distribution. Further, we evidence a change in the direction of research following the reform towards more applied research.

Suggested Citation

  • Laurent R. Bergé & Thorsten Doherr & Katrin Hussinger, 2022. "How Patent Rights Affect University Science," DEM Discussion Paper Series 22-08, Department of Economics at the University of Luxembourg.
    • Handle: RePEc:luc:wpaper:22-08
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10993/51622
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    patent rights; publications; economics of science; difference-indifference ; estimation; model of science production.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • 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
    • L38 - Industrial Organization - - Nonprofit Organizations and Public Enterprise - - - Public Policy

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