Are weak patent rights a barrier to US exports?

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Smith, PJ
• 署名单位: University of Minnesota System; University of Minnesota Twin Cities
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0022-1996
• DOI: 10.1016/S0022-1996(98)00013-0
• 发表日期: 1999
• 页码: 151-177
• 关键词: trade; commercial policy; International law; patent rights; STATES

摘要

This paper assesses whether, how, and to what extent U.S. exports are sensitive to national differences in patent rights. I estimate bilateral trade equations that account for trade distortions related to patent rights using data on state-to-country manufacturing exports in 1992. I find that weak patent rights are a barrier to U.S. exports, but only to countries that pose a strong threat-of-imitation (e.g. China). The stronger patent rights required under the WTO agreement increase U.S. exports to these high-threat markets. Alternatively, strengthening patent rights in countries that pose a weak threat-of-imitation reinforces monopoly power and reduces U.S. exports to these markets. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.