On the price elasticity of demand for trademarks
本文用国际商标申请月度面板数据，估计出费用每涨10%会使申请量下降2.5%到4.0%，说明商标对所有者有显著经济价值，但跨国比较时需注意费用差异。
One underexplored factor directly affecting firms’ use of trademarks relates to the fees associated with obtaining a mark. This paper provides econometric estimates of the fee elasticity of demand for trademark applications. Using a panel of monthly international trademark applications, I find that a 10-percent increase in fees leads to a 2.5–4.0-percent decrease in applications. The econometric analysis also highlights that trademark filings react strongly to economic activity. The results bear implications for literature on the value of trademarks and for the use of trademarks as innovation indicator. Specifically, low elasticity estimates suggest that trademarks provide significant economic value to their owners relative to their costs. However, one must exercise caution when comparing trademark numbers across countries to the extent that fees might differ substantially.