The Early Development of Intellectual Property Institutions in the United States

B. Zorina Khan and Kenneth Sokoloff

Journal of Economic Perspectives, 2001, vol. 15, issue 3, 233-246

Abstract: The U.S. was a pioneer in establishing the world's first modern intellectual property system. That system was distinguished by the provision of broad access to, and strict enforcement of, property rights in new inventions, coupled with the requirement of public disclosure, and it was effective at stimulating the growth of a market for technology and technical change more generally. Far from being static, fundamental modifications were introduced over time in response to changing circumstances. That such adjustments so often proved to be constructive owes partly to a private market being a central feature of the system, and partly to the democratic structure of U.S. institutions.

JEL-codes: N41 N42 O34 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2001
Note: DOI: 10.1257/jep.15.3.233
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (36)

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