U.S.-Japan patent systems

Abstract

The differences between patent systems in the United States and Japan suggest that in Japan, R&D spillovers are more rapid, large firms have greater incentives to innovate, incremental innovations are encouraged, and firms employ alternative appropriability mechanisms more than U.S. cases. Empirical findings are largely consistent with these predictions, but recent empirical literature casts doubt on the widely assumed close relationship between patent system and firm innovation. Weak linkage between patent system and firm research, and the use of patents for strategic and defensive purposes are possible causes of the apparent lack of firm response to the change of patent systems.

Citation

Sakakibara, M. (2001), "U.S.-Japan patent systems", Burgelman, R.A. and Chesbrough, H. (Ed.) Comparative Studies of Technological Evolution (Research on Technological Innovation, Management and Policy, Vol. 7), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 207-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0737-1071(01)01007-1