How Do Patents Affect Follow-On Innovation? Evidence from the Human Genome
利用美国专利商标局的行政数据，将基因专利的申请结果与后续科研和商业投资数据关联，发现基因专利平均而言对后续创新没有显著影响。
We investigate whether patents on human genes have affected follow-on scientific research and product development. Using administrative data on successful and unsuccessful patent applications submitted to the US Patent and Trademark Office, we link the exact gene sequences claimed in each application with data measuring follow-on scientific research and commercial investments. Using these data, we document novel evidence of selection into patenting: patented genes appear more valuable—prior to being patented— than non-patented genes. This evidence of selection motivates two quasi-experimental approaches, both of which suggest that on average gene patents have had no quantitatively important effect on follow-on innovation.