Patents and Innovation in Economic History

37 Pages Posted: 8 Feb 2016 Last revised: 8 Jul 2023

See all articles by Petra Moser

Petra Moser

NYU Stern Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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Date Written: February 2016

Abstract

A strong tradition in economic history, which primarily relies on qualitative evidence and statistical correlations, has emphasized the importance of patents as a primary driver of innovation. Recent improvements in empirical methodology – through the creation of new data sets and advances in identification – have produced research that challenges this traditional view. The findings of this literature provide a more nuanced view of the effects of intellectual property, and suggest that when patent rights have been too broad or strong, they have actually discouraged innovation. This paper summarizes the major results from this research and presents open questions.

Suggested Citation

Moser, Petra, Patents and Innovation in Economic History (February 2016). NBER Working Paper No. w21964, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2729064

Petra Moser (Contact Author)

NYU Stern Department of Economics ( email )

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National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

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