DOES PATENT STRATEGY SHAPE THE LONG-RUN SUPPLY OF PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE? EVIDENCE FROM HUMAN GENETICS

• 成果类型: Review
• 署名作者: Huang, Kenneth G.; Murray, Fiona E.
• 署名单位: Singapore Management University; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• 刊物名称: ACADEMY OF MANAGEMENT JOURNAL
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0001-4273
• DOI: 10.5465/AMJ.2009.47084665
• 发表日期: 2009
• 页码: 1193-1221
• 关键词: intellectual property-rights; absorptive-capacity; INNOVATION; science; TECHNOLOGY; ORGANIZATION; biotechnology; networks; MARKET; TRANSFORMATION

摘要

Knowledge-based firms seeking competitive advantage often draw on the public knowledge stream (ideas embedded in public commons institutions) as the foundation for private knowledge (ideas firms protect through private intellectual property [IP] institutions). However, understanding of the converse relationship-the impact of private knowledge strategies on public knowledge production-is limited. We examine this question in human genetics, where policy makers debate expanding IP ownership over the human genome. Our difference-in-differences estimates show that gene patents decrease public genetic knowledge, with broader patent scope, private sector ownership, patent thickets, fragmented patent ownership, and a gene's commercial relevance exacerbating their effect.