Sources and characteristics of software patents in the European Union: Some empirical considerations

Francesco Rentocchini

Information Economics and Policy, 2011, vol. 23, issue 1, 141-157

Abstract: Software patenting is an increasingly important phenomenon in the European Union. Using a novel database of more than 30,000 software patents granted to both European and Non-European companies, we investigate the relevant factors explaining firm-level software patenting at the European Patent Office. We find that software patents are mainly applied for by American and Japanese firms, that they are characterised by a higher than average length of the granting procedure and that firms belonging to the software sector generally do not apply for them. Finally, results from non-linear panel data estimation reveal that patents are not deemed as useful appropriability instruments by software firms and that a "threat effect" by hardware firms is growing in importance. This last result is in line with recent developments in the literature relative to strategic patenting.

Keywords: Software; patents; Intellectual; property; rights; (IPRs); Innovation; EPO (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:iepoli:v:23:y:2011:i:1:p:141-157

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