Sequential Innovation and Intellectual Property. A Comparison of Empirical and Experimental Findings

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Related Literature on Sequential Innovation
• Theoretical Foundation
• Modelling Sequential Innovation in a Laboratory Experiment
  • Experimental Design
  • Rules of the Game
  • Experimental Assumptions
  • Experimental Findings
• Empirical Findings
  • Biopharmaceuticals
    • Empirical Evidence on a decreased welfare (Finding 1)
    • Empirical Evidence on less sophisticated innovation (Finding 2a)
    • Empirical Evidence on increased Self-reliance (Finding 2b)
  • Software
    • Empirical Evidence on a decreased welfare (Finding 1)
    • Empirical Evidence on less sophisticated innovation (Finding 2a)
    • Empirical Evidence on increased Self-reliance (Finding 2b)
  • Applicability of the empirical findings and critique of the experimental assumptions
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This research paper aims to investigate the influence of patents on sequential innovation by analyzing empirical and experimental findings. It seeks to understand whether patents, while intended to foster innovation, can actually hinder subsequent advancements in a particular field. The paper focuses on the interplay between patents and sequential innovation, specifically within the context of the biopharmaceutical and software industries.

• The impact of patents on sequential innovation
• The role of patents in fostering or hindering innovation
• Comparison of empirical and experimental findings on sequential innovation
• Analysis of industry characteristics and their influence on patent effects
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of patents in promoting innovation

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The introductory chapter provides an overview of the topic of sequential innovation and its importance in driving economic growth. It highlights the conflicting perspectives on the role of intellectual property rights, particularly patents, in stimulating innovation. The chapter introduces the main research question and outlines the structure of the paper.
• Chapter 2 delves into the existing literature on sequential innovation, focusing on the impact of patents on subsequent innovations. It examines the theoretical foundations and empirical findings related to this issue, highlighting the diverse and often contradictory conclusions drawn from previous research.
• Chapter 3 lays out the theoretical framework used to analyze sequential innovation. It introduces the model developed by Bessen and Maskin (2009) and explains how it provides insights into the relationship between patents and innovation.
• Chapter 4 presents a detailed analysis of a laboratory experiment conducted by Brüggemann et al. (2016). It describes the experimental design, rules, assumptions, and findings, providing valuable information on how individuals behave in a controlled setting where patents are introduced.
• Chapter 5 explores empirical findings from two distinct industries: biopharmaceuticals and software. It analyzes the effects of patents on sequential innovation in these sectors, identifying key patterns and discrepancies. These observations provide a real-world perspective on the impact of patents.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This work centers on the key concepts of sequential innovation, intellectual property rights, patents, and their impact on technological advancements. It examines empirical and experimental findings in the context of specific industries, like biopharmaceuticals and software, to explore the influence of patents on innovation and economic growth. The paper also delves into the theoretical model of Bessen and Maskin (2009) and the experimental results of Brüggemann et al. (2016), providing a comprehensive analysis of the interplay between patents, innovation, and industry characteristics.