A Generation of Software Patents

Bessen, James E.

doi:10.2139/ssrn.1868979

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A Generation of Software Patents

Boston Univ. School of Law, Law and Economics Research Paper No. 11-31

Berkman Center Research Publication No. 2011-04

30 Pages Posted: 21 Jun 2011 Last revised: 21 Jun 2011

See all articles by James E. Bessen

James E. Bessen

Technology & Policy Research Initiative, BU School of Law

Date Written: June 21, 2011

Abstract

This report examines changes in the patenting behavior of the software industry since the 1990s. It finds that most software firms still do not patent, most software patents are obtained by a few large firms in the software industry or in other industries, and the risk of litigation from software patents continues to increase dramatically. Given these findings, it is hard to conclude that software patents have provided a net social benefit in the software industry.

Keywords: patents, software, software patents, litigation, innovation, startup firms

JEL Classification: O34, D23 L86

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Bessen, James E., A Generation of Software Patents (June 21, 2011). Boston Univ. School of Law, Law and Economics Research Paper No. 11-31, Berkman Center Research Publication No. 2011-04, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1868979 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1868979