The Value of U.S. Patents by Owner and Patent Characteristics
36 Pages
Posted: 6 Dec 2006
Boston University - School of Law; Research on Innovation
Date Written: December 5, 2006
Abstract
This paper uses renewal data to estimate the value of U.S. patents, controlling for patent and owner characteristics. Estimates of U.S. patent value are substantially larger than estimates for European patents, however, the ratio of U.S. patent value to R&D for firms is only about 3%. Patents issued to small patentees are much less valuable than those issued to large corporations, perhaps reflecting imperfect markets for technology. Litigated patents are more valuable, as are highly cited patents. However, patent citations explain little variance in value, suggesting limits to their use as a measure of patent quality.
Keywords: Technology, patents, innovation, patent value, markets for technology
JEL Classification: O34, O38, K1
Suggested Citation:
Suggested Citation
Bessen, James E., The Value of U.S. Patents by Owner and Patent Characteristics (December 5, 2006). Boston University School of Law Working Paper No. 06-46. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=949778 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.949778
